TRAFFIC OFFICIALS AND FIXER HANDED HEAVY SENTENCES FOR CORRUPTION

11 NOVEMBER 2025

TRAFFIC OFFICIALS AND FIXER HANDED HEAVY SENTENCES FOR CORRUPTION

Cape Town, South Africa; The Cape Town Magistrates Court has handed 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 conviction on charges of corruption, where members of the public bribed the officials for learner’s licenses. The court convicted Davids, a law enforcement official, Dondolo, a Traffic Chief at Ashton Traffic Department and Naidoo, a private individual, for contravening Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA). 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 licenses for individuals through illicit means at the Ashton Traffic Department.

Further investigation exposed a scheme involving Davids and Dondolo, who facilitated the issuance of learner’s licenses without proper testing. Naidoo offered to arrange learner’s licenses for Kannemeyer, L. Meyer, Mxube, Gerbach, and a minor without requiring them to pass the test. On 19 April 2016, this group visited the Ashton Traffic Department to book their tests. Evidence revealed that Naidoo instructed the minor (Swales) to engage in sexual activity with Dondolo as part of the payment, with Naidoo sending suggestive photos of her via WhatsApp to Dondolo before the booking date.

On 25 April 2016, Naidoo’s then-wife, L. Kannemeyer, acting on his instructions, paid R2 500 via Shoprite Money Market to Davids and Dondolo. The following day, Dondolo requested Naidoo to send the names of the test candidates, which Naidoo forwarded to both Dondolo and Davids. At the test facility, Davids allowed Kannemeyer, Meyer, Mxube, and Gerbach to complete only a few lines of the test before excusing them and issuing their learner’s licenses. After the group left, Davids and Dondolo withdrew the funds deposited for their benefit using the reference numbers and PINs.

Mxube and Gerbach, who obtained learner’s licenses through this scheme, were convicted on 10 March 2017 under Section 4(1)(b) of PRECCA after entering into plea and sentence agreements with the State. Mxube testified during the trial, detailing how he paid Naidoo to arrange his learner’s license, marked a few lines on the test, and was informed by Davids that he had passed.

Adv Du Toit argued that the prosecution relied heavily on WhatsApp conversations retrieved by Captain Kotze and analysed by Sergeant Engelbrecht of the Digital Forensic Lab. This digital evidence was instrumental in linking the accused and proving corrupt transactions. The case underscores the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat corruption within public institutions. The successful prosecution of both corrupt officials and their civilian accomplices serves as a warning to those engaging in or facilitating corrupt practices. The case is notable for prosecuting both the corruptor (Naidoo) and the corrupted officials (Davids and Dondolo) together, highlighting a coordinated effort to dismantle corrupt networks. The court sentenced Davids to 12 years direct imprisonment, Dondolo to 14 years and 6 months direct imprisonment and Naidoo to 14 years direct imprisonment in terms of Section 276(1)(b) of the CPA read with Section 26 of PRECCA.

Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Nicolette Bell applauded the alertness of Captain Kotze, which led to 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.

Issued by:

Eric Ntabazalila

Regional Communications Manager

Western Cape

Tel: (021) 487 7308

Mobile: 073 062 1222

National Prosecuting Authority