Nine arrested for learner & drivers licence fraud in Oudtshoorn

Nine suspects were arrested on Friday in Oudtshoorn for fraud and corruption charges, as well as money laundering charges.

The suspects aged between 34 and 61 includes employees from the Oudtshoorn Traffic department as well as the owner and employees attached to a local Driving School based in Oudtshoorn.

PICTURE: SAPS - WCDoT official doing roadworthy check on the truck which failed, resulting in the truck being confiscated.

‘’These arrests stems from covert operations done over a period of time based on allegations that the arrestees all forms part of an organized syndicate whereby learner and or driver’s licences were issued to applicants in return for gratification, using the local driving school,’’ said Captain Michael Pojie

PICTURE: SAPS - Suspect in cuffs being taken into custody

In a joint operation, added Pojie, officers pounced on the Oudtshoorn driver licence offices as well as houses of identified suspects to execute the arrests.

‘’Armed with search and seizure warrants, the integrated team pounced on the Oudtshoorn driver licence offices as well as houses of identified suspects to execute the arrests. Subsequent to the arrests they also seized a Mercedes 14 ton truck, a sedan motor vehicle, cell phones, computer equipment and an undisclosed amount of cash, all directly linked to the illicit transactions.’’

PICTURE: SAPS - One of the key suspects looks on in cuffs whilst officers search his car and confiscates fraudlent obtained licence documents as well as the car

The suspects will appear in the Oudtshoorn Magistrates’ court on Monday.

‘’Due to the extent of the offences committed, bail will certainly be opposed. The accused face charges related to, but not limited to the Contraventions of the Road Traffic Act, Fraud, Corruption and Contravention of POCA which amounts to money laundering,’’ added Pojie.

 

Done By: Mitchum George