Woman Discovers Nearly 50 Trucks Registered in Her Name After Losing ID

Nokuphiwa Ngema says her identity was allegedly used to register dozens of vehicles, leaving her facing vehicle-related liabilities running into millions of rands

What began as the loss of an identity document nearly a decade ago has turned into a deeply troubling ordeal for Nokuphiwa Ngema, who says she discovered that dozens of vehicles had allegedly been registered in her name without her knowledge or consent.

Ngema says she lost her South African identity document in August 2016 and immediately went to have it replaced during the same week. At the time, she believed the matter had been resolved and had no reason to suspect that her identity could later be used fraudulently.

However, years later, she made a disturbing discovery.

The discovery

According to Ngema, the problem came to light in 2022, when she went to renew her driver's licence.

It was then that she discovered that a vehicle had been registered in her name.

What initially appeared to be a single vehicle soon became something far more serious.

Ngema says the number of vehicles linked to her identity increased dramatically. By 2023, approximately 49 vehicles were allegedly registered in her name, and by 2026, she says the number had reached around 50 vehicles.

The vehicles are reportedly not ordinary passenger cars, but include trucks and other high-value vehicles.

Among the vehicles allegedly linked to her name are Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and Ngema says she has even obtained some of the registration number plates associated with the vehicles.

According to information shared during the matter, the value of the vehicles linked to her identity has reached millions of rand.

Ukhozi FM reported that the value of the vehicles had reached R1,583,967.40, while Ngema has since indicated that the total value is now approximately R1.9 million.

A problem that has followed her for years

Ngema believes the fraudulent registrations began around 2017, shortly after she replaced her lost identity document.

Despite the vehicles being registered in her name, she says she has never purchased or possessed these vehicles.

The situation has also had a significant impact on her ability to obtain credit and purchase a vehicle of her own.

Ngema says she has been unable to buy a car for almost 10 years and has not been receiving the usual communications from dealerships that prospective vehicle buyers would ordinarily receive.

She says the situation has been particularly frustrating because, despite the vehicles being associated with her identity, she has not been responsible for acquiring them.

Importantly, Ngema says her identity document remains valid and that she is still able to use her identity to conduct ordinary financial activities, including opening and maintaining a bank account.

She also says that she does not currently have a criminal record.

Hawks investigation underway

The matter has now escalated to law enforcement.

According to Ngema, the case has been transferred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, and an official is working with her on the investigation.

A Hawks official also spoke about the matter during Ngema's recent interview on Ukhozi FM, where the case and the investigation were discussed.

The involvement of the Hawks represents an important development as authorities work to establish how the vehicles were registered using Ngema's identity and who may have been responsible.

Ngema says she has not yet approached the relevant banks to fully trace the financial and ownership history associated with the vehicles.

The investigation is therefore expected to shed further light on how the vehicles were acquired, who is currently using them and how Ngema's personal information may have been used in the process.

Taking her story to the public

Ngema recently shared her experience publicly during a radio interview on Ukhozi FM, bringing national attention to a situation she says has affected her life for years.

She expressed her gratitude to Thuleleni for giving her an opportunity to tell her story to the media and the wider public, with the matter also receiving attention through Ukhozi FM.

For Ngema, the issue is about more than vehicles and financial figures. It is about clearing her name, understanding how her identity was allegedly misused and ensuring that she is not held responsible for transactions and vehicles she says she never authorised.

As the Hawks investigation continues, questions remain about who registered the vehicles, who has been using them and how the registrations were linked to Ngema's identity.

For now, Ngema says she is cooperating with investigators and hopes that the investigation will ultimately provide answers and help restore her financial and personal standing.

Thuleleni will continue to follow the matter as developments emerge.

The allegations contained in this article are based on information provided by Nokuphiwa Ngema and information shared publicly during the Ukhozi FM interview. The investigation remains ongoing, and no individual has been identified or found guilty of wrongdoing in relation to the allegations at the time of publication.