Traffic officer and driving school owners arrested in Lephalale corruption crackdown

Four suspects, including two driving school owners, a traffic officer, and a former examiner aged between 37 and 61, were arrested on 28 May for alleged fraud, corruption, and money laundering.

Authorities say the group is linked to a licensing scam dating back to 2021, where learner’s and driver’s licences were issued illegally in exchange for bribes. The accused, operating from the Lephalale Testing Station, allegedly bypassed proper testing procedures, defrauding the Department of Roads and Transport.

The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) launched a joint probe after the allegations surfaced. Following months of investigation, the case was handed to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which authorized the latest round of arrests.

The crackdown follows the arrest of 11 suspects in February 2025. A manhunt for the remaining culprits led to this week’s arrests. One examiner was caught invigilating a learner’s test session, where inconsistencies were immediately flagged. She later surrendered to authorities.

All four suspects appeared appear in the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court on 28 May. Authorities say more arrests may follow as investigations continue.