Two suspects were arrested on 4 December 2023 following a joint investigation into fraudulent roadworthy certificates being issued for scholar transport vehicles operating in the Western Cape.
The arrests follow a joint investigation by the Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit, the Western Cape Mobility Department, Provincial Traffic, the Western Cape Education Department, the Local Criminal Record Centre Cape Winelands, Worcester Flying Squad, the National Department of Transport, National Crime Intelligence Cyber Unit and the Asset Forfeiture Unit.
During the investigation, it was revealed that fraudulent roadworthy certificates were being issued for Western Cape registered vehicles in another province, without the vehicles being physically presented for a roadworthy test. Two busses were seized and tested where Provincial Traffic Officers found that the busses were not in roadworthy conditions. The use of both buses on a public road was immediately suspended. The investigation revealed that these busses were tested for roadworthiness on the 2nd of November 2023 at Swellendam Municipal Vehicle Testing Station and were found not to be in a roadworthy condition. The defects on the buses identified during the Swellendam tests were still present when these buses were tested again.
A 41-year-old local bus operator as well as a 57-year-old suspect was arrested. Both suspects will make their first court appearance in the Bonnievale Magistrates Court in December 2023. The investigation is ongoing and further arrests will follow.
“Unroadworthy vehicles are a major contributing factor to road accidents, injuries and fatalities on our roads. The alleged conduct of the arrested suspects did not only put our learners at risk but also undermine our efforts to make our roads safer for all Western Cape residents” commented Ms. Marissa Moore, Head of the Western Cape Mobility Department.
Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Ricardo Mackenzie, added, “People involved in unscrupulous and fraudulent activity with roadworthy certificates directly endanger the lives of our children, families and all road users. I am very pleased with these arrests, which should serve as a warning that there are serious consequences. We simply cannot allow unroadworthy vehicles and unqualified drivers onto our roads. This is precisely why we make free vehicle testing available before heavy travel periods to help drivers prepare their vehicles. I commend all the teams involved in this joint investigation, demonstrating effective partnerships in action for the safety and benefit of our residents.”
Roadworthy certificates are a legal requirement which helps to ensure the safety of all road users. Transport operators and vehicle owners are reminded to have their vehicles presented and tested for roadworthiness at any private or public testing station across the Western Cape.
For more information on how and when to get your vehicle tested, please visit the Department’s website at https://www.westerncape.gov.za/tpw/roadworthiness-testing.
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Media Queries:
Muneera Allie
Head of Communication
Western Cape Mobility Department
Tel: 083 755 3213
Email: Muneera.Allie@westerncape.gov.za
Rebecca Campbell
Spokesperson for Minister Ricardo Mackenzie
Western Cape Mobility Department
Tel: 076 783 2583 or