KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Willies Mchunu has applauded the job well done on the joint operation between Traffic and Traffic Investigation Unit (TTIU) of the Public Transport enforcement Unit (PTEU) and the Organised crime Unit for successfully arresting 10 officials at Mandeni Driving License Testing Centre (DLTC) this morning, 18 February 2011.
Preliminary reports have revealed that, there had been a number of fraud and corruption activities that was happening at this DLTC hence the TTIU conducted an investigation with the assistant of the Organised Crime Unit. A number of irregularities found were like:
- Some people did not conduct the test themselves but paid money for someone else “Jockey” to take the test for them; it alleged that driving schools were involved in these activities and colluded with Chief Inspecting Officer of that Municipal Testing Station.
- People from all over the Province who want driving license will go to Mandeni because they were guaranteed driving licenses.
- Some people will pay the driving school and not even be around to do the test but get the driving license.
- Forms were sold over the counter for the minimum amount of R100.
Seven officials (examiners) including the Head of the DLTC, two administration clerks, and one driving school owner have been arrested so far, to appear in court on Monday, 21 February 2011.
“I would like to applaud these enforcement units for the job well done. The department will not tolerate government officials, who deal with the activities of fraud and corruption and they shall be dealt with accordingly. Our mandate as the department is to ensure Road Safety on our roads and if we have officials that “sell” driving licenses to incompetent drivers is huge setback because it increases the risk of road fatalities.
As part of our contingency plan, those people who have already booked with continue with their tests as normal but will be invigilated by the TTIU examiners to ensure that everything run smoothly” said Mchunu
Media contact:
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Transport
