Traffic authorities are clamping down on fraudulent activities in a number of testing stations across Mzansi. This week four people suspected for alleged fraud, corruption and money laundering have been arrested in Lephalale, Limpopo Province, on 28 May 2025.
Traffic officers alleged activity
A Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa investigations alleged that during 2021, the examiners attached to Lephalale Testing Station connived with the driving schools owners and defrauded the Department of Road and Transport by issuing learners and driver’s license to the applicants without following proper procedures in return of gratification. The information was brought to the attention of the Polokwane based Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) and the Road Traffic Management Cooperation (RTMC).
Traffic officials under surveillance
Mmuroa explained that a joint investigation between the SCI and RTMC was conducted following the suspected activity and a case of fraud and corruption was opened. On completion of the investigation, the Hawks referred the matter to the National Prosecuting Authority for decision. Subsequent to that, warrants of arrest were authorized against the accused. As a result 11 accused were arrested in February 2025. Police then launched a manhunt for the remaining suspects.
Traffic officer caught red handed
During the operation, the arresting team found a traffic testing station examiner, who is also one of the suspects, busy invigilating applicants who were busy writing their learner’s driver’s licenses tests. Preliminary investigations revealed some discrepancies on the list of writers. Further investigation was conducted and fraud and corruption offences were detected. The matter was referred to the NPA, and the warrant of arrest was issued against the female traffic official. She was contacted and handed herself to the Hawks in Lephalale Police Station.
More suspects located
Another three suspects were identified, traced and apprehended around the Lephalale locality. All four suspects made their first court appearance in the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court on 28 May 2025 facing charges of fraud corruption and money laundering. Mmuroa said that more arrests were imminent. The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province Major General (Adv) Gopz Govender commended the arresting officers. ” I believe in this team, and I know that they will do all of their best to crack this case,” concluded Major General Govender.
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Accused hands himself over
In Gauteng, Mohamed Hanief Aboo, 55, appeared before the Palm Ridge Specialized Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, following his arrest after handing himself over to authorities on the same day for fraud and money laundering. He was granted R15 000 bail. The arrest pertains to a case that was registered at Hillbrow Police Station in June 2023. He will appear with his four accused on 26 June 2025.
Syndicate claiming life insurance
It has been alleged that Mohamed Aboo and four others: Marwan Aly Mohamed, Mohamed Ahmed Zakaria Badr Mohamed, Percival Clement Wekeyo and Busisiwe Norah Gumbi colluded to fraudulently claim a death benefit of R4.4 million from Liberty Life Insurance, posing as a syndicate. This fraudulent activity was brought to the attention of the South African Insurance Crime Bureau (IBC) by Hollard Insurance, which suffered an actual loss of R4.4 million and faced a potential loss of R15 million.
Requests to verify deceased
The case traces back to 16 January 2023, when Hollard Insurance requested IBC to verify the death claim of Mr. Wagdi Youseff Zaki. It was reported that the claim had been submitted on 18 June 2021 for the apparent death of Mr. Zaki on 9 April 2021. Upon investigation, it was found that Liberty Life had processed a death benefit pay out for Mr. Zaki in the amount of R4.4 million, which was then distributed to various bank accounts. A Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela said the team of investigators were commended for their continuous progress relating to this scheme by the provincial head of the Hawks.
