The Special Investigating Unit welcomes the arrest of six government officials in Mpumalanga for fraud and theft of over R60 Million

The SIU welcomes the arrest of six government officials by the Hawks in Mpumalanga Province for various charges including fraud, theft, money laundering and contravention of section 6 of the Prevention of Organized Crime Act (POCA Act).

Five of the accused are employed at Mbombela Traffic Department (MTD), and one at Mbombela Local Municipality (MLM). The accused appeared in the Mbombela Magistrate Court on Monday, 18 July 2022.

The officials were involved in over 10 000 illicit transactions and cost the Department of Transport a combined loss of approximately R60 million.

The arrested officials are as follows:

1. Thembi Milicent Zulu-Motlohi

2. Agnes Nozipho Ndzinisa

3. Xoliswa Ngcelwane

4. Nompumelelo Winny Nxumalo

5. Allman Masuku

6. Nkosinathi Gumede

The charges that the six suspects face emanates from an SIU investigation which was authorised in terms of Proclamation R.37 of 2017. The SIU was authorised to investigate, amongst others unlawful or improper conduct by employees, officials or agents of the Institutions or any other person which relate to the - (a) registration and licensing of motor vehicles; (b) registration of motor vehicle ownership or licensing details; (c) issuing of driving licenses, learner's licenses or professional driving permits.

The SIU probe uncovered that the accused officials manipulated the eNaTIS system in what is known as "money dumping of fees". They would recruit companies or individuals whose Motor Vehicles (M/V) are heavily in arrears in terms of M/V licensing and penalties incurred due to failure to pay licensing.

The officials would then dump those fees by changing the ownership of the affected M/V to unsuspecting individuals, deceased individuals or dormant companies. Some fees are also dumped at Government Vehicles using a GG authority code. Only Government vehicles are licensed using GG authority code.

In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU referred evidence pointing to criminal conduct that was uncovered during the investigation to the attention of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.

Source: Government of South Africa