| 2025/01/30 |
|
Media Statement LIMPOPO – On Wednesday, 29 January 2025, seven accused persons, Pieter Frederick Francois Scutte (67), Marisca Erasmus (24), Lebogang Rapetsoa (29), Democracy Vhutolo Khangale (35), Thapelo Kgositsile Medupi (31), Makwena Silas Mashala (23) and Mphokoane Nicol Medupi (30) appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Polokwane facing 51 counts of fraud and they were sentenced to pay R20 000.00 or five years imprisonment each. In October 2019, a senior official attached to the Anti-corruption of the Road Traffic Management Cooperation (RTMC) received complaints about the number of unroadworthy vehicles that were impounded in Mpumalanga Province where their roadworthy certificates were issued in Phalala Testing Station in Lephalale in Limpopo Province. The matter was brought to the attention of the Polokwane based Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for assistance. The investigation was thoroughly conducted. It was established that the accused acted on their personal capacity as the officials attached to the Phalala Vehicle Testing Station in Lephalale and defrauded the Department of Road and Transport by issuing roadworthy certificates without following the correct procedures. The accused also used personal details of other individuals to issue roadworthy certificates without their knowledge. Investigations also revealed that the vehicle owners who were issued with certificates never brought such vehicles to the testing station for physical inspection. After collecting the requested evidence, the Hawks conducted an operation named Corolla with the assistance of the RTMC and Special Investigations Unit (SIU). The accused being administrative clerks and vehicle examiners were arrested while on duty at the Phalala Vehicle Testing Station in October 2019. They were taken to Lephalale Magistrate’s Court, where they were released on bail. The case was given necessary attention until the accused were convicted and sentenced. The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province Major General (Adv) Gopz Govender welcomed the conviction and sentences of the accused. He also sent a stern warning to other officials to refrain from acts of fraud and corruption because they will be arrested. Ends
Enquiries:
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/SAPoliceService |
|
|
