More licence scam arrests

Another traffic official held in kingpin probe

THE Hawks say more arrests are imminent following that of another traffic official linked to licensing scam kingpin Elton Abrahams, from Belhar.

The Hawks, in a joint operation with the Department of Transport, pounced on the unsuspecting 42-yearold male cashier at the Lingelethu West Driver’s Licence Testing Centre in Khayelitsha yesterday.

His arrest stems from a two-year investigation into Abrahams’s scam, which involved the issuing of clearance certificates for unroadworthy vehicles.

According to a source, the investigation revealed that he suspect had issued licenses fraudulently, receiving in the region of R800 for learner’s licences and R2 000 for driver’s licences.

The source urged members of the public who had benefited from the scam to come forward as they were homing in on more suspects.

City executive director for safety and security Richard Bosman said: “A cashier at the Lingelethu West Driver’s Licence Testing Centre has been arrested on charges of fraud and corruption.

“The Hawks informed the City of Cape Town about its investigation, which started after they received information about the matter.”

Bosman said they would suspend the official once he had appeared in court. Abrahams, an ex-traffic department employee, was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of fraud and corruption in September.

He appeared at the Bellville Regional Court with his girlfriend, Bronwyn Davids, and a former government employee, Laurelle Richards.

The Hawks had seized more than R3 million in cash, two cars and several identity documents at his house when he was arrested in November 2016.

A senior traffic official was arrested in De Aar in the Northern Cape just two weeks after the Western Cape Hawks arrested Abrahams at his Belhar home in 2016 for his involvement in the scam.

Hawks spokesperson Philani Nkwalase said: “Our officials arrested one official… following an ongoing investigation regarding driver’s licence corruption. The suspect is currently being processed,” he said.

Nkwalase said once processed, a court date would be set and communicated to the media.

Anyone with information could contact the Hawks’ special anti-corruption hotline: 0800 43 43 73.

The Hawks seized more than R3 million in cash, two cars and several identity documents at the suspect’s house