Social distancing requirements, in addition to the sheer number of suspects, have meant the accused could not all fit in the dock. Most of the accused are occupying half of the benches in the gallery - leaving no space for the public or their loved ones.

The Hawks' spokesperson, Lynda Steyn, revealed on Friday morning that two more arrests were made in the case and that all 18 suspects are appearing in court today. The accused have been charged with corruption for now, with the fraud and money laundering charges expected to be added on at a later stage. Proceedings have already gotten underway with the prosecutor, Mvuseni Ponye, requesting that bail for accused 10, 16, 17 and 18 be postponed to 12 November for confirmation of their residential addresses. The Magistrate has granted the state’s request for postponement.

Bail application proceedings for the remaining 14 suspects are continuing in court, with affidavits from each of the accused now being read out by their respective legal counsel.

The arrests came on the back of a year-long investigation by the directorate into the syndicate which operated out of Bloemfontein. Six officials employed by the Lengau Traffic and Testing Centre in the Free State capital are amongst the 18 people arrested this week across the four provinces, which also include Limpopo, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. 

The group stands accused of issuing fraudulent roadworthy certificates for deregistered vehicles in exchange for money, amongst other violations. The apprehended group include administration clerks, a police officer and driving school employees from the four provinces. 

Authorities raided the homes of the accused, seizing documentation that they deemed pertinent to their investigation. 

The Bloemfontein arrests on Wednesday first took place at Lengau and later at varied residential areas in the Free State capital, including Lourier Park, Pellissier, Phase 2 and Phase 6. Reports on the ground indicate the arrests have rocked the Lengau Traffic and Testing Centre, which falls under the Provincial Department of Police, Roads and Transport. 

The spokesperson for the department, Hillary Mophethe, is yet to comment on the arrests.

OFM News