LIMPOPO – Four officials have been arrested at a vehicle testing station in Musina on allegations that they fraudulently issued roadworthy certificates for vehicles they never physically tested.
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Provincial Hawks’ spokesperson, Captain Matimba Maluleke, says the arrests follow months of investigations by members of the Hawks, the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit as well as the Special Investigating Unit.
“It is alleged the officials colluded in using the identity particulars of a 60-year-old man to generate roadworthy certificates for scores of vehicles that were never brought to the testing station for examination. Investigations however showed that the man was not even aware that his particulars were being used in this manner,” Maluleke explained.
The four suspects, three vehicle examiners and a cashier, were arrested at Thusalushaka Testing Station and will be facing charges of fraud and corruption.
“Documents and computers were seized during the raid at the testing station and the suspects are expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court, tomorrow, 27 March,” he said.
A similar raid was conducted at the same testing station in December last year where two officials were arrested. They were released on bail and are expected to make another court appearance on 29 April.
“Vehicle roadworthiness is one of the major contributors to road crashes and fatalities in South Africa. The raid assisted in reducing this threat in the forthcoming Easter period,” Maluleke concluded.
