KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport Siboniso Duma says government is targeting corruption in driver’s licence issuing systems, including possible fraud investigations, audits and stricter enforcement at testing centres and driving schools.
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The MEC for Transport and Human Settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, Siboniso Duma, says government is considering introducing a “truth and reconciliation of a special kind” as part of efforts to dismantle what he described as a criminal syndicate involved in bribery and corruption in the issuing of driver’s licences.
“To dismantle and root out a criminal syndicate that is behind the bribery and corruption associated with the issuing of driver’s licenses, we are exploring the possibility of having a truth and reconciliation of a special kind,'' Duma said.
He said the aim of the initiative is to encourage those who obtained licences fraudulently to come forward and assist authorities in exposing those responsible.
He warned that action would be taken against those implicated across driving schools and testing centres.
“The aim is to encourage those in possession of a license obtained fraudulently to point out the culprits.
''We will act harshly-name and shame these individuals - whether they are in private driving schools or in the driving and testing centres managed by municipalities or the department.”
He stressed that honest officials must be protected, commending staff at the Umkondeni Driving and Testing Centre after an examiner’s vigilance led to the arrest of a learner and instructor from a private driving school last week.
“Importantly, there are honest and hardworking civil servants in our centres that must be protected against these rogue elements. Critically, we commend our examiner at the Umkondeni Driving and Testing Centre whose vigilance resulted in the arrest of a learner and instructor from a private driving school last week.”
“As indicated last week, our revived Transport and Traffic Inspection Unit (TTIU) is intensifying underground and intelligence-driven activities under the auspices of the #NenzaniLaEzweni Operations. The corruption playbook used by these syndicates has given us a sense of the rot in the system.”
“The TTIU is also working with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU) to accelerate investigations into collusion between driving schools and testing officials.”
He confirmed that some officials are already facing investigation and court processes.
“There are officials who are under investigations and who will be sentenced in connection with fraud and bribery. There are court dates set for hearings. These will be published to demonstrate transparency.”
He also revealed corruption within testing centres, saying, “In particular, our investigations show an examiner taking bribes to pass applicants without proper testing.”
He said all driving tests will be audited and fraudulent licences revoked.
“We will audit all tests, and if we find evidence of fraud or bribery in issuing licenses, they will be revoked. We want competent drivers on our roads, not chance takers who will endanger other road users.”
Duma said the Head of Department Zibusiso Dlamini is leading efforts to improve integrity and efficiency at driving and testing centres, starting with Umkondeni.
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