Alleged Garden Route licensing fraudster out on bail

A senior clerk at the Bitou Municipality motor registration section appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was released on bail of R5 000.

She was arrested after a sting operation by the Hawks last Friday.

Lungiswa Klaas (43) allegedly issued a roadworthy certificate at the vehicle testing station in Plettenberg Bay without a roadworthy test being done.

She will appear in court again on June 6.

Western Cape Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi says after the allegations came to light, an intelligence-driven operation was conducted at the vehicle-testing station, between 2021 and 2022, where Klaas worked as a clerk in the licensing department.

“The investigation revealed that Klaas [allegedly] received money to facilitate and provide a roadworthy certificate for a vehicle that was never present or inspected by the roadworthy station,” Vukubi explains.

He adds it is further alleged that Klaas made use of a contact at a vehicle-testing station in Gqeberha to carry out the fraudulent transaction.

Andile Namntu, Bitou’s communications manager and acting director of corporate services, confirmed to the Knysna-Plett Herald that the operation was a sting conducted by the Hawks.

Namntu says the municipality had also taken internal disciplinary steps against Klaas in line with the labour laws of the country.

“Yes it was a sting operation undertaken by the Hawks. While the legal process unfolds, Bitou municipality is conducting its own internal processes concerning the clerk and taking steps to strengthen the integrity of the office,” adds Namntu.

The municipality cannot provide further comment at this time, due to the ongoing legal proceedings.