Silverton police are warning people visiting the Waltloo licensing department to be cautious as scams increase.
Spokesperson Sergeant Mamadimo Maponya said many people have fallen victim to crime around the area as scammers ramp up their operations.
“There are several cases reported at our station, with some arrests and many other cases still under investigation.”
Maponya said though there is a rise in the number of people scammed some investigations didn’t go far due to a lack of evidence.
He said the so-called runners were targeting individuals who required learner or driving licences and those with outstanding fines.
According to Maponya, the runners’ modus operandi was to pose as employees or purport to have contacts at the various licensing centres who could cut them to the front of the queue and fast-track their application.
“While in the queue people are approached by unknown individuals claiming they could assist in fast-tracking their application.
“These runners take their documents to either go check for outstanding fines or assist with other matters, when they return, they claim the client has an outstanding fine then ask for money to bribe an official to quash the fine.”
He said some clients have been swindled to pay more than R2 000 yet the fine remains.
Maponya said the runners were targeting people of all ages and genders.
“The incidents take place any time of the day and week.”
He said awareness campaigns including the distribution of pamphlets warning of the scams were regular, yet the number of victims reporting to the police is growing.
“The facility is a cashless facility, so people shouldn’t carry cash when visiting the site and the community should avoid talking to non-officials within the traffic precinct.
“Rather get assistance from uniformed traffic officers inside the building or help desk,” he pleaded.
He said anyone outside the building, should not be trusted.
Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the metro had not received many complaints about scams this year.
“We do receive isolated incidents and continue to urge our residents to remain vigilant as these scams normally take place in the parking lot.”
Bokaba said only one incident was reported to the office of the mayor.
“We have also issued several notices and media statements warning the public not to transact outside our offices, but our pleas seem to have fallen on deaf ears.
“Some of our clients are gullible and don’t follow correct established processes, they prefer things that are done illegally.”
He said no staffer had yet been caught in any corruption at the facility as the incidents involved members of the public – motorists and scammers.
“There’s no corruption on the part of our employees. It is the gullible customers who don’t like to queue and prefer to do things clandestinely.
“They pose as staff and promise clients discounts or to fast-track their application.”
Bokaba said the runners also easily gained easy access to the centre.
“Our facilities are deemed public places, any person may enter our premises to use a service. It is incumbent on the clients to insist on being served by staff inside our premises behind the counter.”
He said the Tshwane asset protection unit had deployed a sufficient number of security officers to deal with the risks on-site.
“We have robust control measures in place to mitigate against such risks. We urge all the residents to report any form of corruption or bribery to the relevant authorities for further handling.”
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