Vredenburg Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) takes a Zero-tolerance Stance against Fraud and Corruption
A possible syndicate operating with fraudulent documents were stopped in their tracks by Saldanha Bay Municipality’s Vredenburg DLTC.
Vredenburg DLTC opened a fraudulent case on 5 November 2020 against four applicants that came to the centre and submitted fraudulent proof of addresses, when they applied for learner licences and professional driving permits.
The testing officer noticed that the documents submitted by the applicants were the same bank statements, cellular phone and clothing retailer accounts with different personal details (names, surnames and addresses). One applicant attempted to schedule a learner’s licence appointment with two different bank institutions’ statements. This was immediately reported to management, where after the suspect was chased and found in a white station wagon outside the Weskus Mall, with eight occupants inside the vehicle.
The Municipality’s Law Enforcement department and the Vredenburg Police Station were contacted to assist. The suspects were apprehended and accompanied to the traffic department, where the police took statements from Mr Craig Barends (Examiner of Driving Licences) and Mr Gordon Swarts (Deputy Chief: Registration and Licencing). Thereafter the suspects were taken to the Vredenburg Police Station for detention.
The Traffic Department monitored suspicious activities after a sudden increase in Cape Town applicants were noticed visiting the Vredenburg DLTC to specifically apply for professional driving permits, of which they obtained their driving licences from testing centres outside the Western Cape province.
It is unclear whether the forged documents came from a single source. This will form part of the police investigation.
Saldanha Bay Municipality reminds the public that the obtaining and submitting of fraudulent documents is illegal and can lead to imprisonment. Our plea to the public is to refrain from participating in such activities.
Media Enquiries:
Ethne Lawrence – Communications and Public Relations Officer
Email: Ethne.Lawrence@sbm.gov.za
