Hawks swoop on corrupt officials
2012-06-25 10:29
NOWHERE TO HIDE FOR THE CORRUPT:: Government is cracking down on corrupt licensing officials with arrests being made in Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn. Above shows the closed drivers licensing centre, June 23 2012.
Cape Town - The state is cracking down on criminal drivers and officials with a raft of law changes as part of its campaign to improve road safety.
The South African Police Service, as part of a collaboration with the Hawks, has arrested allegedly corrupt officials at a driving test centres in Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn.
The arrests are a culmination of an ongoing investigation during which undercover Hawks operatives infiltrated the organisation.
NEW DRIVERS WARNED
Two driving licence examiners from Calitzdorp were arrested for allegedly issuing fraudulent learner licences. A driving licence examiner from Oudtshoorn was arrested after another examiner provided an affidavit alleging criminal activities.
The owner of the driving school was also arrested. Other arrests are expected to be made in due time.
Drivers who obtained a licence in Oudtshoorn or Calitzdorp from November 2011 to date are requested to take their licences to the authorities.
Western Cape MEC for transport and public works, Robin Carlisle, said: “Anybody who has obtained a driving licence in Oudtshoorn or Calitzdorp since November 2011 is urged to come forward immediately as no driving licence cards will be issued for that period until all fraudulent licences have been identified.
“We will be monitoring all activities at the DLTC in both towns until this matter is finally resolved,” he said.
Carlisle added: “I congratulate the police who took part in this operation, as well as my officials who have supported them every step of the way. To all those involved in the corruption that is putting unskilled drivers on our roads, I say this: there is nowhere to hide. We are going to track you all down one by one and put you in jail.”
