A scam offering a crafty shortcut to getting your driver’s licence in the Eastern Cape has skidded off the road after four suspects were arrested on Thursday.
A driving licence examiner, an applicant and two “runners” allegedly hired to write learners’ tests on behalf of applicants were arrested after the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) anti-corruption unit was tipped off.
Whispers were circulating of examiners and driving school instructors crafting a plan. Their goal? Deploy “runners” to fill in for those unwilling to sit for their own exams, all for a handsome fee.
The RTMC reported the culprits who were caught in the act at the Qonce driving licence testing centre. “They were busted in a learner’s licence test classroom, where the two runners were writing the test on behalf of learner’s licence applicants who were not present,” the RTMC said.
Inside the classroom, two runners wrote away, replacing the absent applicants.
On closer look, the anti-corruption crew discovered more.
The examiner welcomed these test-takers into the room. One runner was representing four applicants, including an international candidate. Another filled in for a singular no-show.
Cash exchanged hands in this deal. One of the runners was found with a significant stash.
Applicants were shelling out R2,500 for this service. The examiner’s cut? R1,500, while the runner pocketed the rest.
But the RTMC isn’t putting on the brakes just yet. They hinted at ongoing probes, targeting four more applicants linked to this scam.
As the dust settles, the suspects gear up for their day in the Qonce Magistrate’s Court. It’s clear: shortcuts in the Eastern Cape just got a lot riskier.
Pictured above: A South African driving licence card
Image source: RTMC/Facebook
