More metro officials have been arrested in Ekurhuleni in connection with fraud and corruption relating to the registration of vehicles.
The five officials, including a supervisor, were arrested at the Alberton and Bedfordview licensing offices by a joint team of investigators consisting of the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit, the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department’s Compliance and Monitoring Unit, as well as the South African Police’s Gauteng Special Project Unit.
The five officials – three females and two males aged between 27 and 45 years – were picked up at Alberton and Bedfordview licensing offices.
They will be detained at Germiston police station until Monday when they are set to appear at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane said the officials allegedly colluded with motorists to clear outstanding vehicle licence fees and penalties by irregularly registering vehicles in the names of deceased people or unsuspecting individuals before re-registering the same vehicles back to the original owners.
“The alleged scam is believed to be costing municipalities, provincial transport authorities and the RTMC about R80 million annually in unpaid vehicle registration fees and penalties,” Zwane said.
Zwane said that investigations are continuing and more suspects are expected to be arrested.
The arrests of five officials are a follow up to another bust conducted last week where four Ekurhuleni Metro officials were arrested at the Benoni licence department.
Members of the public are encouraged to report corruption activities on 0861 400 800. – SAnews.gov.za
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