Seven suspects linked to an alleged fraud scheme are set to reappear in courts across the Free State.
These suspects, accused of issuing fraudulent driving licences and roadworthy certificates, respectively, were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit.
They face charges of corruption and fraud.
Teboho Jonas Motijane (36), Macholo Tlokotsi Joseph (45) and Tlali Jacob Letaba (45) are connected to the alleged issuance of roadworthy certificates for motor vehicles.
They were granted bail of R3 500 each during their appearance in the Ficksburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 25 April.
“This followed Letaba’s arrest on 15 October 2021 for colluding with examiners from private testing stations in the Eastern Cape to issue vehicle roadworthy certificates,” said Capt. Christopher Singo, Hawks spokesperson.
“It is alleged that, in exchange for R1 100 per vehicle, the said certificates were issued without inspection of the vehicles.”
Keneilwe Elisa Molehe (53), Kebautlwile Jacqueline Kgwadi (47), Matsobane Michael Mokhonwana (48) and Lehlohonolo Athy Molosi (46) are implicated in the solicitation of bribes from a victim who intended to register for a driving licence at a testing station.
These suspects, apprehended in March, are set to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (11/05).
According to Singo, their arrest came after the victim realised he had been defrauded out of R8 500.
It is alleged that one of the suspects, who is yet to be apprehended, convinced the victim that Mokhonwana would assist him in obtaining a driving licence.
“The victim then paid R8 500, the amount they had agreed upon,” Singo said.
“However, even after numerous follow-ups, no feedback was provided.”
The matter was reported to the police, and the case was handed over to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit in Bloemfontein.
The suspects were granted bail of R500 each.
