Eight people accused of running a cash-for-driver’s licence scheme at the Marble Hall Driving Licence Testing Centre appeared in the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 14 September 2026. All eight face charges of fraud and corruption and will remain in custody until their next court date on 21 September, when bail applications are expected to be heard.
The accused are Linah Mabitshela, 53, a cashier and NaTIS officer; Collen Lwazi Mtshali, 57, described as an alleged runner; Ephraim Mocheko, 62, a traffic examiner and NaTIS officer; Dina Makena, 49, cashier and NaTIS officer; Mpho April Aphane, 43, a driving school owner; Petrus Herman Raga, 48, a management representative, examiner of vehicles and driving licences, and NaTIS officer; Selemogae Molepo, 63, cashier and NaTIS officer; and Leuba Monama, 63, also a cashier and NaTIS officer. The SIU confirmed the identities and roles.
Four of the accused were arrested on Friday, 11 September 2026, while the remaining four handed themselves over to police shortly after. The arrests followed a joint operation by SAPS Crime Intelligence and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) acting under a Department of Transport proclamation.
The SIU alleges that a suspect from KwaZulu-Natal, identified as Collen Lwazi Mtshali, solicited R2 000 per licence from applicants, promising learner’s licences without the required tests. Three cashiers were arrested after R5 300 in cash was found concealed on their bodies — one 63-year-old cashier allegedly had around R4 500 hidden in her underwear and another allegedly hid R800 in her breast, according to SIU spokesperson Selby Makgotho.
“The SIU’s investigation found that a suspect from KwaZulu-Natal allegedly solicited R2 000 per licence from applicants, promising to secure learner’s licences without them undergoing the required testing process. The suspect allegedly coordinated with an accomplice in Limpopo, who in turn worked with examiners at the Marble Hall testing centre to process fraudulent applications,” Makgotho said.
The team is alleged to have manipulated the electronic National Administration Traffic Information System (eNatis) to issue learner’s and driver’s licences without the legally mandated testing. Intelligence gathered during the investigation indicated that the syndicate processed between 20 and 30 learner’s licences at a time, according to SIU briefings. Charges include fraud, corruption and contravention of the Cybercrimes Act; all allegations remain untested in court and none of the accused has been convicted.
The matter was postponed to 21 September 2026 for address verification and criminal-record checks. The court must also confirm whether any of the accused have previous or pending matters. Bail applications will be heard once those verifications are complete.
Investigators said the operation is ongoing and further arrests or departmental disciplinary action may follow where evidence supports it. What remains unconfirmed is exactly how many fraudulent licences were issued and for how long the scheme operated. CapeFlats.co.za will be back in court on 21 September to follow the bail hearing.
— Lungile Nkosi