​An eagle-eyed examiner brought a learner’s licence applicant’s test to a screeching halt on Friday 29 June 2018, when she caught him cheating during the test.

The 23-year-old applicant was found in possession of a piece of paper with the answers and was arrested on a charge of fraud.

He is the third applicant to be arrested at the Milnerton DLTC this year for the same offence.

‘All the learner’s licence applicants are informed before the test that it is an offence to make use of any unauthorised materials and that doing so could result in charges being filed. On the one hand I commend the examiner for her vigilance but, on the other, this is quite perplexing because the consequences for the individual in question are far worse than a failed learner’s test,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.

Meanwhile, on the roads the City’s Traffic Service arrested 27 suspects for a number of offences including drunk driving and outstanding warrants, impounded 39 vehicles and issued 1 736 fines.

The Metro Police Department arrested 12 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol, eight for being in possession of drugs, two for theft out of a motor vehicle and one suspect for theft of a motor vehicle. Officers also issued 1 041 traffic fines and 58 by-law notices.

One motorist also faces additional charges of reckless and negligent driving and attempted murder after trying to hit an officer with his vehicle while trying to escape from a roadblock in Lentegeur.

‘It seems the cold and wet conditions didn’t deter some criminals, but neither did it deter our officers who continued with their patrols and operations to ensure the public’s safety. In one such case, Metro Police officers patrolling the R300 came across a 12-year-old boy who was walking from Lentegeur to his mother’s home in Brackenfell. Officers transported him and ensured that he was safe, but it is of great concern that he was out there on his own in the first place. I urge parents and caregivers to please be extra vigilant around the safety of the children in their care. They are extremely vulnerable and should be kept safe at all costs,’ added Alderman Smith.

End