Over 190 000 illegally obtained driver’s licenses have been sent to provincial MECs for cancellation as the department of clamps down on corruption at testing stations after the Special Investigating Unit probe.
On Monday Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula and Road Traffic and Management Corporation (RTMC) CEO advocate Makhosini Msibi briefed the media about the findings of the investigations which were undertaken by the SIU and RTMC.
The investigations follow a proclamation made in 2017 for investigations into issues of drivers’ licenses, learners’ licences, professional driver permits, road worthy certificates and conversion of foreign licenses into local ones.
With the clamp down on driver’s licenses which were issued out through corruption, all those who have been found to have unduly benefited will lose their licenses. Almost 200 000 South Africans could soon find out that their driver’s licenses count for nothing.
“Various measures have been implemented to tackle corruption, which includes the introduction of online services and online payments, the rollout of smart enrolment units across all DLTCs, the centralisation of the management of booking slots.”
“A total of 190 190 driving licenses have been referred to relevant MEC’s for cancellation. An almost identical number of driving licenses [190 173] have been issued to persons who have since passed away.
“President Ramaphosa has been emphatic that there is no space for corrupt people in our government. Working with law enforcement authorities, we are making headway in uprooting malfeasance and corruption,” said Mbalula.
A total of 44 cases have been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution and 128 cases referred to authorities for disciplinary action.
A joint operation with the Hawks and SA Revenue Service (SARS) has resulted in 88 arrests for fraud. These include 36 vehicle testing examiners, 10 Natis officers and 26 DLTC officials: three police officers, four provincial department of transport inspectors and seven civilians.
“Some of the people are still in the system but we are coming for them. We will find them. Each and every one of them will account for their deeds in terms of undermining the rule of law and authority of the state,” Mbalula said.
Source: News24, The South African, Sowetan Live, IOL, Business Day, image from Twitter: @MbalulaFikile