RTMC crush 520 illegal cars from 2017 joint operation

Unlawfully purchased and fraudulently registered vehicles are facing their demise in the Eastern Cape after the RTMC has commenced with crushing 520 illegal cars after being impounded in 2017. 

520 illegal cars

Is it a Ford, is it a Toyota, is it a BMW? Who knows after the compactor has had its way with it.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) conducted a joint operation in 2017 along with the SAPS Eastern Cape Anti-Corruption Unit, National Anti-Corruption Unit, Special Investigative Unit, SAPS Vehicle Safety Storage Unit, SAPS Crime Intelligence Unit and the National Prosecution Authority. The operation impounded 520 fraudulently registered vehicles from the public by the Komga Registering Authority, SAPS and roadworthy centres.

520 illegal cars

A VW Jetta about to meet its demise.

The operation also resulted in the arrest of 17 suspects, some of whom were members of the SAPS and Department of Transport. Other foreign nationals were also taken into custody and are believed to be kingpins of a syndicate that would collude to fraudulently register vehicles on the National Traffic Information System (eNatis). 

Watch here as a BMW 1 Series is compacted and destroyed. 

520 illegal cars

Most of the fraudulently registered vehicles were imported from Japan.

RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane stated that the foreign vehicles, which were mostly imported from Japan for a reduced price, were intended to be put into transit and arrive at other African markets. According to Zwane: “Two SAPS VSS members would then issue fraudulent police clearances for the vehicles and Roadworthy centres would fraudulently issue certificates of road worthiness.”

This means that a minimum of three specific officials were required to push these 520 illegal cars through the system demonstrating how deep the corruption really is. The suspects are facing a myriad of charges which include corruption, selling of illicit goods, forgery, money laundering and many more counts but have all been released on R2 000 bail pending further investigations.

520 illegal cars

520 vehicles are being crushed in the Eastern Cape.

Zwane says that: “The RTMC and the SAPS will this week destroy scores of illegally imported vehicles that were fraudulently registered on the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS).”

It is always a shame to see a functional car that can still provide kilometres worth of mileage being crushed but unfortunately, the law disregards this optimistic thought.

The post RTMC crush 520 illegal cars from 2017 joint operation appeared first on CAR Magazine.


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