Six license testing officers and one security guard were arrested by the Hawks on Wednesday at the Khayelitsha driving licence-testing centre in Cape Town for allegedly accepting bribes.
The suspects are believed to be part of a larger syndicate and will be appearing in court on charges of fraudulence and corruption.
JP Smith, Cape Town mayoral committee member for safety and security, said an internal disciplinary process against the officials would run parallel to the criminal investigation.
It is alleged that the suspects accepted cash bribes in exchange for issuing learner’s and driver’s licences since January 2015 until October 2018.
ILLEGAL LICENCES UPDATE: MT> @Artii_M: The Hawks in the Western Cape have attested 7 officials at the Khayelitsha driving license testing center. They’re implicated in issuing licenses and learner license illegally through bribes. pic.twitter.com/643BuMv0MZ
— The Fatal Moves Team (@FatalMoves) December 12, 2018
“No less than 34 suspects, including nine examiners, have so far been apprehended in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces to address the fraudulent issuing of roadworthy certificates. These arrests sparked further investigations which linked to the arrests of the seven suspects today (Wednesday),” Hawks spokesperson Captain Philani Nkwalase told News24.
Many locals were concerned that the centre would close following the arrests but residents have been reassured that it will stay open.
Picture: Pixabay