Issuing false car licences: many to face court

SEVERAL taxi owners and more City officials face being arrested soon in connection with fraud and corruption in the issuing of vehicle licences, State prosecutor Makhos andile Tyhokolo said.

Tyhokolo is handling the case involving four City officials who appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Farouk Martin, 30, Lwandle Mawisa, 31, Xolani Qhinga, 35, and Sivuyile Charlie, 33, were released on R3 000 bail each and the case postponed until September.

The four were arrested on Monday following a twomonth investigation into irregular transactions at the City’s vehicle registration department at the Civic Centre. They were allegedly involved in the fraudulent processing or renewal of car and driver’s licences, among others, to taxi owners.

Three other officials, who resigned in May when the City’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) started questioning them, also face being arrested, Tyhokolo told the Cape Times yesterday.

Tyhokolo said the taxi owners involved would be charged should they fail to cooperate with investigations or refuse to be State witnesses.

Asked how many more people were under investigation, Tyhokolo said: “Many would be arrested (but) there is still going to be an audit, so let’s wait for the investigation to be completed first.”

Mayoral committee member for City’s Safety and Security JP Smith said: “The City’s SIU and the police are still investigating. The investigation is ongoing, but as things stand 74 of the 118 charges involve taxi owners.”

At least 25 motorists have been identified for their alleged involvement, he said.

“The investigation will include a check on all documentation issued in a fraudulent manner,” Smith

Executive deputy mayor and mayoral committee member for finance Ian Neilson said Martin, Mawisa, Qhinga and Charlie appeared before a disciplinary hearing on July 10. The fraud was allegedly committed as far back as 2013, he said.