Two Worcester traffic officers and another man have been arrested for allegedly selling learner’s licences to the public.
|||Two Worcester traffic officers and another man were arrested on Thursday after a year-long investigation uncovered how they allegedly issued learner’s licences to the public at a cost of R2 500.
The two officers were allegedly issuing the licences in return for a share of R2 500, which was paid to a runner (the third man), Transport and Public Works MEC Robin Carlisle said.
He said the runner would SMS the examiners details of applicants who had paid the money, while the examiners were then alleged to have given them crib notes.
“I am told three undercover police from Worcester Crime Intelligence received three different sets of crib notes during the investigation,” Carlisle said. The three men face charges of corruption and fraud and, if convicted, could be jailed for “a very long time”.
Carlisle said it was difficult to establish how many learner’s licences had been illegally acquired. “I would like to extend a friendly (word of) encouragement to all members of the public who received learner’s and driver’s licences in this way to make contact with Captain Barnard of the Worcester Detective Branch on 082 522 3159,” he said.
“If you come forward the police will be able to consider using you as a witness, rather than co-accused.
“It’s your choice, but if you choose not to come forward I am confident the police will track you down.”
Police spokesman FC van Wyk said the “intensive” investigation started in June.
The three accused will remain in custody for the weekend and are expected to appear in the Worcester Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
lauren.isaacs@inl.co.za - Cape Times