Department and Hawks bust fraudsters issuing fake roadworthy certificates | Western Cape Government

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Department and Hawks bust fraudsters issuing fake roadworthy certificates

10 August 2018

Statement by Donald Grant, Minister of Transport and Public Works

Four suspects have been granted R5000 bail each after being arrested by the Hawks for allegedly issuing fraudulent roadworthy certificates from Athlone Vehicle Testing Station on Monday, 6 August 2018. The arrests were made by the Hawks following a joint investigation with a team from the Department of Transport and Public Works.

The four suspects are Mr Omar Jacobs (48) Mr Brent Taylor (37) Mr Dawid Makrieling (67) and Mr Gawie Settley (57). All four suspects have been charged with fraud and corruption, and appeared on Tuesday, 7 August 2018, at the Vredenburg Magistrates Court where they were awarded bail.

The Department of Transport and Public Works has been working closely with the Hawks on a number of cases in a concerted attempt to weed out fraud and corruption at vehicle testing stations in the Western Cape.

Just last month, another three suspects were arrested for the same crime, and appeared in the Bellville Magistrate’s court on 19 July 2018.

The work with the Hawks includes investigations dating back to 2011, targeting fraudsters at testing stations in Prins Albert, Beaufort West, Durbanville, Calitzdorp, Stellenbosh, Cape Town Metro, and Vredendal. In all instances we have been successful in bringing these criminals to justice.

We will continue to work closely with law enforcement to identify and prosecute people who are involved in fraudulent and corrupt activity at vehicle testing stations. Issuing fraudulent roadworthy certificates allows untested and unsafe vehicles on our roads which places the lives of other road users in danger.

I commend both the departmental team as well as the Hawks for their dedication and hard work.

Media Enquiries: 

Siphesihle Dube
Spokesperson for the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Donald Grant
Cell: 084 233 3811
Tel: 021 483 8954
Fax: 021 483 2217
E-mail: Siphesihle.Dube@westerncape.gov.za