- number of suspects increases
Maun police have intensified their investigation into a driver’s license fraud case that has rocked the Department of Road Transport and Safety (DRTS), with the number of suspects now standing at ten.
The latest arrests involve five more individuals linked to a 46-year-old government employee at the DRTS Maun office, who is accused of issuing fake driver’s licenses. Confirming the development, Maun Police Station Commander Superintendent Joseph Lepodise said investigations are far from over.
“The number of suspects is likely to rise as inquiries continue,” Lepodise stated, cautioning members of the public against seeking illegal shortcuts to obtain licenses. “At some point, those who choose to take shortcuts will be caught, and there will be consequences.”
The case is the latest in a string of corruption-related scandals that have long plagued the DRTS in Maun. Initial arrests last week included the government employee and four suspects—three men and one woman aged between 38 and 61—who allegedly benefitted from fake licenses. Investigators believe the DRTS official manipulated serial numbers belonging to deceased persons to produce fraudulent documents.
While the revelations have alarmed many, they are not entirely new. The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has repeatedly flagged fraudulent practices at the department. In 2022, the DCEC exposed irregularities such as fake roadworthiness certificates, fraudulent BA permits for goods transport, and duplicate taxi passenger permits. Some cases made it to court, leading to suspensions, dismissals, and one conviction.
In March this year, DCEC spokesperson Nlayidzi Gambule disclosed that the Maun office was handling 52 corruption cases registered since 2016. He revealed that the district’s overall caseload stood at 76, with 15 cases forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecutions for possible prosecution.
According to Gambule, corruption cases in Maun have surged steadily—from just one in 2016 to 12 in 2024, with four already recorded in 2025. Although the DCEC is barred from naming individuals under investigation, Gambule emphasized that the trend highlights entrenched corruption in the district.
To combat the problem, the DCEC has rolled out several preventive measures, including public awareness campaigns, a school-based programme called Boammaruri to instill honesty in children, and the formation of Anti-Corruption Units across government offices. A Corruption Prevention Committee has also been set up to reinforce ethical conduct.
Despite these efforts, the persistence of fraudulent documentation at the DRTS points to systemic weaknesses. The latest arrests, now totaling ten, underscore the scale of the problem and the urgent need for stronger oversight mechanisms.
As investigations deepen, residents are left questioning whether anti-corruption measures are sufficient to restore public trust in key institutions or whether the cycle of fraud will continue unchecked.
