Hawks sting operation nets alleged Bitou licensing fraudster

A sting operation by the Hawks has led to the arrest on fraud allegations of a senior clerk at the Bitou municipality motor registration section on Friday, 26 April.

Lungiswa Klaas, 43, appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 29 April and was released on bail of R5 000.

She allegedly issued a roadworthy certificate at the vehicle testing station in Plettenberg Bay without a roadworthy test being done.

She will appear in court again on June 6.

Western Cape Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi said after the allegations came to light, an intelligence-driven operation was conducted at the vehicle-testing station between 2021 and 2022, where Klaas worked as a clerk in the licensing department.

“The investigation revealed that Klaas [allegedly] received money to facilitate and provide a roadworthy certificate for a vehicle that was never present or inspected by the roadworthy station,” Vukubi said.

He said it was further alleged that Klaas made use of a contact at a vehicle-testing station in Gqeberha to carry out the fraudulent transaction.

Andile Namntu, Bitou’s communications manager and acting director of corporate services, confirmed to the KPH that the operation was a sting conducted by the Hawks.

Namntu said the municipality had also taken internal disciplinary steps against Klaas in line with the labour laws of the country.

“Yes it was a sting operation undertaken by the Hawks,” said Namntu.

“While the legal process unfolds, Bitou municipality is conducting its own internal processes concerning the clerk and taking steps to strengthen the integrity of the office," said Namntu. The municipality cannot provide further comment at this time, due to the ongoing legal proceedings.