POLOKWANE – Local residents have been hitting back at corruption and theft at the Traffic Department.
Several local residents have fallen victim to two women and a man claiming to work for the Traffic Department. They take money and paperwork from clients at the Traffic Department claiming that they stand in the queues for people. They then demand money for their services which they never deliver.
One resident, Kobus Beukes, spoke to BONUS to warn other residents about the scam.
“I was renewing my vehicle licence and was unsure of which line I needed to stand in. A woman approached me saying that she would queue on my behalf and that I could go and have a seat,” he explained. He said he later saw the woman taking papers from another person and asked her where his papers were, the woman then told him she needed money first to stand in line for him.
“I refused and told the woman that I wanted my paperwork back and would stand in line myself, but she refused,” he said.
Beukes said the security on the premises refused to assist him and he went to the police.
Westenburg Police Spokesperson, Const Mapure Manamela, urges residents to be safe and aware of their surroundings when doing business at places unknown to them.
She said people believing they have been scammed, should call the station at (015) 292 9415/10 and report the matter immediately.
She confirmed that a case had been opened and that a woman had been arrested and would appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court later this week on charges of fraud.
Municipal Spokesperson, Disree Manyane, said residents can report any issues at the Traffic Department to the municipality at (015) 290 2000.
