Traffic officer, licensing clerk arrested over alleged eNaTIS fraud and corruption - IOL

Two suspects have been arrested for alleged corruption and fraud involving the unlawful issuing and manipulation of Traffic Register Numbers on the eNaTIS system.

A traffic officer and a licensing centre clerk have been arrested for alleged corruption and fraud involving cash payments and the unlawful manipulation of Traffic Register Numbers (TRNs) on the national eNaTIS system.

The arrests followed a joint investigation by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) Anti-Corruption Unit into allegations that an applicant paid money to obtain a Traffic Register Number and driving licence through irregular means.

"The investigation followed a complaint alleging that, on 23 January 2024, one of the suspects received gratification in the form of cash deposits from an applicant seeking assistance with obtaining a Traffic Register Number and a driving licence," the RTMC said.

The RTMC identified traffic officer Peter Sunn Jean Swartz as one of the suspects, alleging that he worked with a clerk stationed at the Adelaide Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) to manipulate official records.

"Evidence contained in the case docket indicates that a traffic officer, Peter Sunn Jean Swartz, allegedly colluded with a clerk stationed at the Adelaide Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC)," the corporation said.

"The investigation established that the clerk allegedly issued a Traffic Register Number to the applicant in her absence. It was further established that the TRN had initially been allocated to another male individual but was subsequently altered on the eNaTIS system."

Further investigations uncovered communication between Swartz and the applicant, as well as several payments of varying amounts deposited directly into the traffic officer's bank account.

According to the RTMC, the payments were allegedly made in exchange for facilitating the applicant's acquisition of the Traffic Register Number.

The applicant maintained that she had never visited the Adelaide DLTC to apply for or obtain the number.

However, eNaTIS records indicated that the TRN had been issued by Clifton Nelson De Lange.

Following the investigation, the case docket was submitted to prosecutors for a decision on whether criminal charges should be instituted.

"Following the conclusion of the investigation, the case was submitted for a prosecutorial decision. The decision was subsequently received that both suspects should be charged with corruption and fraud," the RTMC said.

The two suspects were arrested on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, through J175 summonses in connection with the alleged offences.

They are expected to make their first appearance before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on December 10, 2026, where they will face charges of corruption and fraud.

The RTMC said it would continue working closely with law enforcement agencies to combat corruption within the country's road traffic administration system.

"The RTMC remains committed to working with law enforcement agencies to root out corruption within the road traffic environment, strengthen accountability and protect the integrity of the country’s road traffic administration systems," the corporation said.