Five would-be learner drivers sentenced for fraud in KZN
Five learner licence applicants have been sentenced for trying to fraudulently get their licences.
They are part of a group of 15 people, including six examiners, that was arrested last year at the licensing centre in Howick.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation says the applicants tried to pay bribes.
The Durban Commercial Crimes Court handed the five applicants fines of R5 000 each or five years behind bars.
Their jail sentences have been suspended for five years after they pleaded guilty.
RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane says the remaining accused will be sentenced next month. The examiners will go on trial in June.
"This should send a message to members of the public not to engage in acts of bribery, fraud or corruption. They will be caught and they will face the full might of the law," said Zwane.
"It's not only officials who will be taken to caught. Even those who are caught offering bribes are doing wrong. When we find them, they will be arrested and taken to court."
The Road Traffic Management Corporation says the applicants tried to pay bribes.
The Durban Commercial Crimes Court handed the five applicants fines of R5 000 each or five years behind bars.
Their jail sentences have been suspended for five years after they pleaded guilty.
RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane says the remaining accused will be sentenced next month. The examiners will go on trial in June.
"This should send a message to members of the public not to engage in acts of bribery, fraud or corruption. They will be caught and they will face the full might of the law," said Zwane.
"It's not only officials who will be taken to caught. Even those who are caught offering bribes are doing wrong. When we find them, they will be arrested and taken to court."
The RTMC says a driving school operator believed to be the mastermind was also arrested two weeks ago and will be back in court next month.