'Prominent' Mpumalanga businessman in court for licensing fraud
A prominent Mpumalanga businessman has appeared in the Mbombela Magistrate's Court in connection with motor vehicle licensing fraud totalling some R60 million.
Demieties Botes (46), who was arrested by the Hawks in the morning, will stand trial together with 16 licensing officials and one vehicle fleet owner.
The other suspecrs were arrested last year.
Botes is facing over 260 counts of fraud linked to his fleet of vehicles, which include truck-tractors and tippers.
The vehicles were allegedly fraudulently licensed by officials at the community safety department in Mbombela.
Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) spokesperson Simon Zwane says the Mpumalanga government suffered a loss of over R1 million in uncollected vehicle license fees as a result.
"The investigation revealed the officials manipulated the eNatis system between 2018 and 2019 to assist motor vehicle owners to avoid payment of vehicle licence fees and penalties owed to the state.
"Their modus operandi involved changing the ownership of affected motor vehicles into the name an unsuspecting individual, a deceased person or dormant company.
"Fees and arrear penalties will then be passed on the unsuspecting individual or companies before vehicle ownership is changed back to the rightful owner without any debt due by the rightful owner. In some instances, fees were dumped onto government vehicles by using a GG authority code."
The suspects are jointly facing 603 charges of corruption, fraud, and money laundering.
The accused was released on R15 000 bail and case postponed to 20 July.
ALSO READ:
