KZN Transport MEC Siboniso Duma has warned that officials implicated in driver's licence fraud will be publicly exposed.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, has warned that officials implicated in driver's licence fraud will be publicly exposed, as the province intensifies efforts to dismantle corruption networks operating at testing centres.
Duma confirmed that a learner driver and an instructor from a private driving school were arrested during an intelligence-driven operation at the Umkondeni Driving and Testing Centre in Pietermaritzburg.
The arrests were carried out under the #NenzaniLaEzweni campaign by the recently revived Transport and Traffic Inspection Unit (TTIU), which has been tasked with targeting fraud and corruption linked to licence testing.
According to Duma, the unit intercepted communication between the suspects relating to a R 1,800 payment. The discussion allegedly involved securing the release of a syndicate member detained at Alexander Police Station.
“We have studied a corruption playbook used by syndicates in various centres across the province. We have therefore mandated the TTIU to dismantle the syndicates,” Duma said.
He added that head of department Zibusiso Dlamini would support the unit by allocating additional resources to strengthen operations.
Duma said any officials found to be involved would face severe consequences.
“Any employee of the department of transport who is involved in this racket will be dealt with harshly to set an example for others to see that the corruption game is over,” he said.
He further warned that those implicated would be “publicly identified and held accountable” in an effort to root out entrenched corruption in licensing centres.
The MEC linked fraudulent licensing to road fatalities, stating that the crackdown forms part of broader efforts to improve road safety.
“We are informed that between 30% and 50% of drivers on our road networks are using licences obtained through fraud and corruption,” he said.
Duma cited a recent incident in which a motorist was unable to operate basic vehicle controls, including using a hooter or indicating turns, as evidence of the dangers posed by unqualified drivers.
He said the next phase of enforcement would focus on eliminating the sale of driver's licences, alongside ongoing operations targeting driving under the influence, as part of efforts to reduce road deaths in the province.