KEY POINTS
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Four licensing officials and driving school owners arrested for selling fraudulent learner/driver licenses since 2021, following February’s detention of 11 accomplices
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Exploitation of non-biometric testing systems enabled “ghost candidate” fraud, with 437 illegal licenses linked to road fatalities
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Hawks pursuing nationwide syndicate members and unqualified drivers, with charges upgraded to reflect R3.2 million money laundering operations
A senior traffic examiner invigilating learner’s licence tests was handcuffed mid-session on Tuesday as Hawks investigators swept through the Lephalale Testing Station, arresting four suspects in a fraudulent licensing scheme.
The 37-year-old examiner, a retired 61-year-old colleague, and two driving school owners face charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering for allegedly selling licenses without testing since 2021.
Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa confirmed the arrests followed a 16-month probe by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit and Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC). “Applicants paid up to R8,500 ($450) to bypass exams,” Mmuroa revealed, noting the ring exploited rural testing centers with limited oversight.
The Citizen reports that the crackdown comes after February’s arrest of 11 co-conspirators in the same scheme, with forensic audits uncovering 437 fraudulently issued licenses linked to unqualified drivers.
Traffic arrest of Examiner exposes systemic vulnerabilities
The arrests expose systemic vulnerabilities in provincial licensing. RTMC data shows Limpopo’s 42 testing stations lack biometric verification, allowing “ghost candidates” to write exams. “Corrupt examiners manipulated seating charts to insert untested applicants’ names,” explained transport analyst Thabo Moloi.
This loophole enabled the Lephalale syndicate to operate for four years until digital payment trails triggered the investigation.
The Sting Operation
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10:15 AM: Active examiner arrested while supervising legitimate learner’s test candidates
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11:30 AM: Retired examiner apprehended at his Modimolle farm
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13:00 PM: Two driving school owners detained at their offices, where investigators seized R128,000 cash and falsified training records
Major General Gopz Govender, Limpopo Hawks commander, warned more arrests loom: “This network extends to three provinces. We’re tracing beneficiaries of fraudulent licenses involved in fatal accidents.” Road Accident Fund records indicate 17% of Limpopo’s 2024 crash fatalities involved drivers with suspicious licensing credentials.
The accused appeared in Lephalale Magistrate’s Court Wednesday, facing upgraded charges under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
According to IOL, prosecutors highlighted money laundering risks as syndicate profits exceeded R3.2 million, funneled through spaza shops and livestock auctions. All four remain in custody pending a 5 June bail hearing.
