The Cape Town Magistrates’ Court has handed down heavy sentences to two former traffic officials, Karel Davids and Andile Dondolo, from the Ashton Traffic Department, and a private individual, Jason Naidoo, following their convictions on corruption charges.

The trio had set up a scheme which resulted in members of the public bribing the officials in return for learner’s licences.

The court convicted Davids, a law enforcement official, Dondolo, a Traffic Chief at Ashton Traffic Department and Naidoo for contravening Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA).

Davids was sentenced to 12 years ‘ direct imprisonment, Dondolo got 14 years and 6 months direct imprisonment and Naidoo received 14 years direct imprisonment.

Senior State Adv Thersia Du Toit led evidence which revealed that the investigation began when retired Captain Kotze from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) Western Cape uncovered WhatsApp conversations during an unrelated probe into Naidoo.

These messages revealed Naidoo’s arrangements to secure learner’s licences for individuals through illicit means at the Ashton Traffic Department.

During one such arrangement, in 2016, Naidoo even instructed a minor to engage in sexual activity with Dondolo as part of the payment.

In 2017, two members of the public, who obtained learner’s licenses through this scheme, were convicted after entering into plea and sentence agreements with the State.

One of the individuals testified during the trial, detailing how he paid Naidoo to arrange his learner’s licence, marked a few lines on the test, and was informed by Davids that he had passed.

The prosecution relied heavily on WhatsApp conversations retrieved by Captain Kotze and analysed by the Digital Forensic Lab. This digital evidence was instrumental in linking the accused and proving these corrupt transactions.

The Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Nicolette Bell has applauded Captain Kotze, who led the investigation of this corrupt scheme.

“We will continue to prioritise the prosecution of these types of crimes and criminals that disproportionately undermine South Africans’ safety, the country’s socio-economic well-being, and the rule of law. Corrupt officials must know that impunity is no longer a given, and we will always be there to ensure that they are prosecuted and handed sentences that fit the crimes they have committed.”