Latest news with #Polokwane-based
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- The Citizen
Hawks arrest four in learner's and driver's licence fraud scheme in Limpopo
A traffic examiner and three others were arrested in Lephalale for allegedly issuing licences illegally in exchange for money. The crackdown on the illegal issuing of learner's and driver's licences continues as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) arrested a traffic examiner, an ex-examiner, and two driving school owners. The four suspects, aged between 37 and 61, were arrested by the Hawks on Tuesday in Lephalale, Limpopo, for alleged fraud, corruption, and money laundering. The examiners at the Lephalale Testing Station are accused of conspiring with the operators of driving schools to defraud the Department of Road and Transport in 2021. Illegally issuing learner's and driver's licences The officers allegedly provided learner's and driver's licences to applicants without adhering to the correct procedures in exchange for money. Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa said the information about the suspects was thereafter brought to the attention of the Polokwane-based Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) and the Road Traffic Management Cooperation (RTMC). ALSO READ: Why has the questionable driving licence card tender not been overturned? 'A case docket of fraud and corruption was opened. After completion of the investigations, the Hawks referred the matter to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for a decision,' Mmuroa said. The NPA approved the arrest warrants for the suspects. The RTMC and SCI conducted a joint inquiry, resulting in the arrest of 11 accused in February 2025. Police then launched a manhunt for the remaining suspects. 11 arrested in February During the operation, the arresting team found one of the examiners invigilating people who were writing their learner's licence tests. Preliminary investigations revealed discrepancies in the list of writers, and further investigation uncovered fraud and corruption. ALSO READ: The driver's licence machine is fixed, but another problem remains The matter was referred to the NPA, and the warrant of arrest was issued against the examiner. She later contacted authorities and surrendered herself to the Hawks at Lephalale Police Station. Mmuroa reported that officers traced and apprehended three additional suspects in the area. All four suspects were scheduled to make their first court appearance in the Lephalale Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, to face charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering. Fraud, corruption, and money laundering More arrests are imminent, according to the Hawks. Major General (Adv) Gopz Govender, the provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, has demonstrated some confidence in this unit and has complimented the arresting officers. ALSO READ: Driver's licence expired while printing machine is broken? Here's what you should do 'I believe in this team, and I know that they will do all of their best to crack this case,' Govender said.
IOL News
28-05-2025
- IOL News
Limpopo driving school instructors, traffic examiners arrested for fraud
The Hawks in Limpopo have arrested four suspects at the Lephalale Police Station in a driving license fraud case. Two driving school instructors, a traffic examiner, and a former traffic officer have been nabbed in connection with the fraudulent issuing of driver's licences. The four were arrested on Wednesday morning in Limpopo by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) on allegations of fraud, corruption, and money laundering. The suspects, aged between 37 and 61, were arrested in the Lephalale area and are expected to appear in the Lephalale Magistrate's Court today. Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, it is alleged that in 2021, examiners at the Lephalale Testing Station colluded with the driving school owners and defrauded the Department of Road and Transport by issuing learner's and driver's licenses without following proper procedures in exchange for bribes. 'The information was brought to the attention of the Polokwane-based Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC),' Mmuroa said.
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Limpopo trio arrested in connection with R6.3m Anglo American Platinum fraud
The Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit has arrested a former company director and two ex-payroll administrators in connection with fraud amounting to R6.3m. Polokwane Review reports that the three accused, Monique Nel (52) and Ruan van Zyl (23), both payroll administrators, and director Wanda van Zyl (57), all former employees of Global Strike Security Company, were arrested on Sunday after they handed themselves over to the police. According to provincial Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, the accused allegedly submitted over 33 fraudulent invoices to Anglo American Platinum for security between December 20, 2018, and September 20, 2021, for services that were never rendered Mmuroa says payments were processed before the company uncovered the scheme. 'Anglo American Platinum got suspicious and conducted internal forensic investigations, which revealed a loss of R6.3m. The matter was reported [at] the Mahwelereng Police Station and subsequently handed over to the Hawks' Polokwane-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit for further investigation,' he says. A thorough investigation successfully linked four people from the security company to the committed crime, though one of the people implicated has since died. Following the completion of the investigation, the case was handed to the National Prosecuting Authority, which authorised warrants of arrest. 'The accused briefly appeared in the Mahwelereng Magistrate's Court yesterday, facing 26 counts of fraud. The case was postponed to today for a bail application,' he says. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Limpopo trio arrested for R6.3m Anglo-American Platinum fraud
MOKOPANE – The Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit has arrested a former company director and two ex-payroll administrators for alleged fraud amounting to R6.3 million. The three accused, Monique Nel (52; payroll administrator), Ruan van Zyl (23; payroll administrator) and Wanda van Zyl (57; director), all former employees of the Global Strike Security Company, were arrested on Sunday (May 19) after they handed themselves over to the police. According to the provincial Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, the accused allegedly submitted over 33 fraudulent invoices to Anglo-American Platinum for security services that were never rendered between December 20, 2018 and September 20, 2021. Mmuroa said payments were processed before the company uncovered the scheme. 'Anglo-American Platinum got suspicious and conducted internal forensic investigations which revealed a loss of R6.3 million. The matter was reported to the Mahwelereng police station and subsequently handed over to the Hawks' Polokwane-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit for further investigation,' he said. A thorough investigation successfully linked four individuals from the security firm to the committed crime, though one of the implicated individuals has since died. Following the completion of the investigation, the case was handed to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which authorised warrants of arrest. 'The accused briefly appeared in the Mahwelereng Magistrate's Court yesterday facing 26 counts of fraud. The case was postponed to today for a bail application,' he said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
22-04-2025
- IOL News
Patient beats nurse: Man arrested for assaulting nurse at Malamulele Hospital
A man who was a patient has been arrested in Limpopo after he allegedly assaulted a nurse at Malamulele Hospital. Limpopo health spokesperson, Kapudi Moagi, said that in the early hours of Monday morning, the patient who had been admitted to the male ward after being involved in an accident refused treatment. 'During this time, he assaulted a nurse, claiming his belongings were missing,' said Moagi. Police were alerted, leading to the arrest of the patient for physical assault. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Meanwhile, Limpopo MEC for Health, Dieketseng Mashego, has welcomed the quick arrest of the alleged assailant. 'We must ensure the safety of our healthcare workers. Violence against them will not be tolerated. I appreciate the prompt action taken by SAPS in this situation,' said Mashego. 'The department is committed to maintaining a safe environment for both patients and healthcare staff.' Last month, IOL reported that Fannie Malope Seribishane, the 57-year-old man, accused of brutally killing a nurse, is set to undergo trial in the High Court in Limpopo. Seribishane was served with an indictment to appear before the Polokwane-based court from August 4 until August 8, facing charges of murder, domestic violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition. 'Members of the provincial tracking team, together with the murder and robbery unit, arrested the 56-year-old man for the brutal murder of a 52-year-old female victim at Lebowakgomo policing area,' Ledwaba said at the time. 'On October 23, 2024 at about 5pm, the female nurse by profession met her untimely death while she was on her way to work at Lebowakgomo Hospital.'
