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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Two men, believed to be from Parkdene, were arrested at their homes last night following the police’s investigation into a fraudulent letter stating that new taxi operating licences will be issued by the George Municipality.
Captain Malcolm Pojie, the Southern Cape police spokesperson, confirmed the arrests this morning.
“Thorough investigation by the Eden Cluster detectives led to the arrest of two suspects, aged 50 and 68, who have allegedly defrauded a number of taxi owners in George and surrounds out of thousands of rand, following a falsified letter they distributed amongst taxi-owners”.
He said that the fraud and theft docket originates from a fraudulent letter that was circulated during November 2018 regarding the issuing of new taxi operating licences.
“One suspect (50) allegedly offered the ‘new permits’ at a rate of at least R5 000 cash. The suspects allegedly received tens of thousands of rand impacting about six different victims, of whom some have paid over substantial amounts of cash for multiple so-called permits that were never issued.
"The Department of Transport in conjunction with the George Municipality has placed a moratorium on the issuing of new licences in November 2009. This moratorium is still in place and has not been repealed,” said Pojie.
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The municipality laid fraud and theft charges on 29 November after they became aware of the fraudulent letter with the forged signature of the municipal manager on it.
The two suspects are scheduled to appear in the George Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, Wednesday 12 December.
The police appeal to anyone who might have fallen victim to this scam to contact the investigation officer, Sgt Jacobus Maton, on 044 803 4526 / 073 046 8482 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
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