Three officials of the licencing department of the Sol Plaatje Municipality in Kimberley were arrested on Thursday, 24 October, by the Free State police on charges of corruption.
They will appear on Monday, 28 October, in the Kimberley court although the case is expected to be transferred to Petrusburg where two civilians were also arrested.
Thabo Mothibi, spokesperson for the municipality, says they are gathering information from law enforcement authorities that might be used in an internal disciplinary investigation.
“In the meanwhile we made arrangements to replace these staff members, as we had to close the licence offices on Thursday and Friday after the arrests.
“We are against corruption and encourage the members of the public to report acts of corruption to all law enforcement bodies and Chapter 9 institutions such as the Public Protector Office.”
Brig. Motantsi Makhele, police spokesperson in the Free State, says the three officials will appear in the Kimberley court, but the case will be transferred to the court in Petrusburg.
“This comes as the police concluded an investigation into corruption involving the fraudulent issuing of driver’s licenses. The investigation, which was launched in 2023 targeted a syndicate operating within the licensing sector in the Free State and the Northern Cape.
“Two civilian suspects aged 52 and 62 were arrested in Petrusburg and three employees of the Traffic Department aged 30 to 50 were arrested in Kimberley.
“Through diligent and thorough investigative efforts, several key suspects have been identified and taken into custody. These individuals are believed to have been involved in orchestrating a scheme that enabled unqualified individuals to illegally obtain driver’s licenses.”
Makhele says the takedown operation was conducted by the Free State Organised Crime Unit with information from Crime Intelligence.
“The suspects are facing charges related to corruption, fraud, and other associated offenses. We expect more arrests soon, as the investigations is ongoing,” he concluded.
