Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison has recently cancelled 39 learner’s licenses at Mhala Driving License Testing Centre due to irregularities.
On September 2, 5, 27 and 28, 2012, a video footage from the Mhala Computerised Learners License Testing Centre showed an Examiner and a Technician assisting applicants with their learner’s test.
All 39 applicants, the technician and the examiner were informed about the irregularities, implications and given an opportunity to explain their involvement in the incident and their responses were found to unsatisfactory.
The technician who was working for a private company has been fired by the service provider for his involvement and the examiner had been removed from the centre by his employer, the local municipality.
The 39 applicants were barred for a period of 12 months from applying or been issued with learner’s or driving licenses in the country which is in line with the National Road Traffic Act.
MEC Vusi Shongwe is satisfied regarding the swift action against the people involved saying that it will send a strong message to other testing centres and applicants that corruption can never be tolerated by government.
Shongwe said that one of the factors that contributed to road accidents was that some drivers were not competent due to incidences such as the matter in question.
“Drastic measures must be taken against any wrong doers as the province can no longer tolerate any mischief at testing stations. This will serve as an example to other applicants and officials who are also involved in such actions,” said Shongwe.
Shongwe also reiterated that the use of technology in the testing stations is pivotal in detecting incidences similar to the one that occurred in Mhala and promised that the project will gradually be extended to other testing stations in the province in order to fight corruption.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
