Eight people accused of involvement in an alleged scheme to sell driving licences at the Marble Hall Driving Licence Testing Centre in Limpopo have appeared in court.
The accused include employees attached to the licensing centre, a driving school owner and an alleged runner.
Those who appeared are Linah Mabitshela (53), a cashier and NaTIS officer; Collen Lwazi Mtshali (57), described as a runner; Ephraim Mocheko (62), a driving licence examiner and eNaTIS officer; and Dina Makena (49), a cashier.
Also accused are Mpho April Aphane (43), a driving school owner; Petrus Herman Raga (48), a management representative, examiner of vehicles and driving licences and NaTIS officer; Selemogae Molepo (63), a cashier and NaTIS officer; and Leuba Monama (63), a cashier.
The group is accused of being involved in an alleged operation through which driving licences were unlawfully obtained in exchange for money.
The case has placed renewed attention on alleged corruption within driving licence testing centres, where applicants are legally required to undergo the prescribed testing process before qualifying for a driving licence. South African government guidelines require applicants to hold a learner’s licence and successfully complete a driving test conducted by a qualified examiner before a licence can be issued.
The allegations against the eight accused have not yet been proven in court, and they remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.
