By Sonica Naudé-Steyn

Members of the Eastern Cape Hawks (the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation) on Friday allegedly conducted an unannounced search-and-seizure operation at the Matatiele Traffic Department as part of investigations into allegations of licence fraud.
Sources have claimed that licenses are being sold at the traffic department and the Hawks visit forms part of an ongoing investigation.
The Matatiele Municipality has confirmed the visit and have stated that members of the Hawks where there to collect documentation relating to operations within the Traffic Department.
“The Municipality welcomes all lawful interventions by competent law enforcement authorities aimed at strengthening accountability, transparency, and the promotion of good governance within public institutions. Officials in the Traffic Department cooperated fully with the visiting team and provided the requested documentation. The visit does not affect the normal functioning of municipal services, and operations within the Traffic Department continue as usual,” the municipality said in a statement.
They however declined to provide any further information or comment as the ‘matter may be subject to ongoing processes’.
“The Municipality will refrain from further comment at this stage. As further details are provided to the Municipality by the relevant law enforcement authorities, the community of Matatiele will be duly updated. The Municipality reiterates its commitment to ethical governance and compliance with all applicable laws and regulatory frameworks.”