Rustenburg, Limpopo - An investigation led by the Hawks has led to the arrest of nine suspects across Limpopo province who are accused of selling roadworthy certificates to members of the public carrying out proper inspections of the vehicles. In some instances, vehicles that were issued with roadworthy certificates had not even been licenced or properly registered.
A joint operation by the Hawks, Road Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit, and Crime Intelligence led to the simultaneous arrest of nine suspects in Rustenburg, Tlhabane and Northam in Limpopo on Wednesday on charges of corruption.
Police spokesman Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said: “According to the information, RTAC received a complaint in January 2014 and that led to the launching of an investigation whereby monitoring and observations were held at testing stations suspected to be responsible for issuing of roadworthy certificates without testing the vehicles.
CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION
“As part of investigations, documents were seized at various testing stations and subsequently, officials employed at various private and Government testing stations were arrested during the operation.”
The suspects, aged between 26 and 62, were due to appear in various courts on Thursday, including five in the Bafokeng Magistrates’ Court in Tlhabane, three in Northam Magistrates’ Court and one in Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court, where all would be facing charges of charges of corruption.
North West Provincial Head of Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Ntebo Mabula issued a stern
warning that corruption would not be tolerated. “We will unite at all levels of Government and leave no stone unturned to ensure the citizens safety. Unsuspecting drivers and commuters should not be left at the mercy of ruthless criminals who break the law by issuing roadworthy certificates for vehicles that were not tested.”
ANA