EASTERN CAPE - TRAFFIC OFFICIALS ARRESTED FOR ISSUING FRAUDULENT LEARNERS AND DRIVERS LICENCES

The traffic officials who have been issuing fraudulent learner’s licences as well as driver’s licences at the Adelaide, Port Alfred and Alexandria Traffic Departments in the Eastern Cape province have been arrested.

The Hawks had received an inquiry about the illegal activities at the above-mentioned traffic centres in March 2014 and subsequently investigations were instituted. On Tuesday the Hawks pounced on Ricardo Du Plooy, a 46-year-old Chief Traffic Officer at Adelaide Traffic Department, Loyiso Goba (43), a Traffic Officer responsible for eye testing at the same department, Jolene Freda Ntshiza, a 38-year-old Learner’s and Driver’s Licences examiner, as well as Sivuyile Tsiti who works for Ace Driving School in the area.

In Alexandria the Hawks arrested Vuyisile Mnyani (48), an ex-traffic officer and now the owner of Ace Driving School.

The traffic officials have allegedly been involved in the issuing of fraudulent learner’s and driver’s licences at a cost of R6 000 each. The driving school owner would work as a middleman in that he would recruit customers for the officers.

The driving school was used to disguise the illegal activities as they did not teach their students how to drive, but arrange for them fraudulent documents at a cost.

Du Plooy, Goba and Tsiti will be in the dock again today as they were remanded in custody following their brief appearance at the Bedford Magistrate’s court on Tuesday. Vuyisile Mnyani was released on R6 000 bail while Jolene Freda Ntshiza was released on R1 000 bail. They will be back in court on 17 March 2016 and 20 April 2016 respectively.

The Hawks are still searching for another suspect who evaded arrest on Tuesday. Four vehicles were seized during the arrests.

VIA - saps.gov.za