FOURTEEN people implicated in the driver's and learner's licences case appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court in the Free State on Tuesday, 30 January.
The accused were arrested in separate places including Lengau Testing Station in Bloemfontein on allegations of corruption, fraud, and money laundering.
The accused are Tebogo Joseph Sekhosana (45), Moeketsi Patrick Hlopho (43), Xoliswa Patricia Leeuw (38), Phomolo Molefe (30), Makubeni Phillip Raisa (50), Keiketsang Joyce Diseko (56), Popi Mtsweni (37), Phaladi Comfort Pitjadi (34),Cynthia Mamokhantsi Nthako (52), Thabo Patrick Makunyane (45), Bertie Oertel Ntho (49), Alleta Nqai (52), Ditaba Johan Ngubenyathi (41), and Tuelo Goodwin Setlhare (56).
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The accused were granted bail of between R2 000 and R5 000, respectively, based on their individual circumstances.
The 15th accused Samuel Mokhobo (54) allegedly handed himself over to the Hawks investigators in the early hours of Tuesday morning, 30 January, and appeared with his co-accused in court.
The other accused were arrested by the Hawks on Monday 29, January.
The arrests were carried out by the Hawks in the Free State, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga.
Hawks spokesman Colonel Zweli Mohobeleli said they received intelligence information about the traffic department and private examiners in Bloemfontein, Brantford, Botshabelo, Ladybrand, Phalaborwa, and Mbombela where traffic officers, driving school instructors, and runners were involved in issuing learner's and driver's licences without following proper procedures since 2022.
"Operation Catfish was set up by the Hawks, leading to the arrest of the accused," he said.
The case has been postponed to Friday, 12 April, for further investigations and centralisation of case.
