Johannesburg – A traffic licencing officer has been arrested in Belfast in Mpumalanga for allegedly selling learner licenses to foreign nationals, South Africa’s Department of Transport said on Monday.
Transport department spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi said the officer, who worked as license examiner for the Emakhazeni local municipality, was arrested by the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s anti-corruption unit members, with the assistance of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).
“This came after the anti-corruption unit members obtained information indicating that the examiner and one other individual were about to fraudulently and corruptly issue learner licenses to nationals of Ethopian origin,” Mnisi said.
“Application forms purportedly filled by the foreign nationals were confiscated but addresses indicated on the forms proved to be false. Mr Mabuza allegedly confessed that he forged the addresses.”
Mnisi added that a motor vehicle believed to have been used by the officer was confiscated after a pile of face value documents learner’s and temporary driving licenses were found in it.
“These document were already filled out with particulars of individuals who were supposed to obtain them.”
Police were looking for the man who is believed to have worked with Mr Mabuza in committing the crimes. “His name is known to the police and he is believed to have fled from Belfast.”
The investigation was continuing and the RTMC warned law enforcement officers to refrain from engaging in corrupt activities. Driver learner testing centers have been identified as hubs of corrupt activities where ill-equipped drivers pay to obtain driver licenses. “These drivers then proceed to drive on the roads contributing to the unacceptably high levels of road crashes.”
African News Agency
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