The matter appeared before the Atlantis Magistrate Court.
Image: FILE
A vehicle examiner has been sentenced for fraudulently issuing roadworthy certificates to vehicles that were never tested.
Vehicle testing station official, Kgomotso Masindi, 45, was convicted on charges of fraud and corruption in the Atlantis Magistrate’s Court.
Hawks Western Cape spokesperson Zinzi Hani said the court sentenced Masindi to five years' imprisonment or a fine of R10 000, of which half was suspended for five years.
“The official was found guilty on two charges of fraud and corruption related to transactions conducted at the Jeffreys Bay testing station in the Eastern Cape between 2016 and 2018,” Hani said.
Another suspect was implicated in the matter; however, the charges against the suspect were officially withdrawn.
According to Hani, the suspect who was released was arrested by members of the Western Cape Serious Corruption Investigation team of the Hawks.
“It is reported that motor vehicles certified on the eNatis system as roadworthy were never physically presented and tested. The information was only sent via WhatsApp by the owners to the middlemen, who, in turn, would forward the information to the accused, who in return, accepted gratification,” Hani said.
The court further declared Masindi unfit to possess a firearm.
Cape Times