Deputy Transport Minister Jeremy Cronin has welcomed yet another fraudulent driving licence syndicate bust, which brings to three the number of fraudulent licence breakthroughs in the past week alone.
Yesterday Monday, 16 November 2009, five people were arrested in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape on charges of dealing in and issuing fraudulent licences, in a joint anti-corruption initiative by the national Department of Transport, the provincial Department of Transport and Public Works in the Western Cape and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). The suspected fraudsters include three traffic officers, a driving school owner and a taxi driver. On 16 October 2009, the acting National Director of Public Prosecutions authorised the institution of prosecution in respect of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Act 121 of 1998) with regards to this case. This is a major milestone in law enforcement as it is the first of its kind and successful prosecution carries a minimum 25 year jail sentence.
“We want to commend the SIU, South African Police Service (SAPS) and all other role-players on these arrests which form part of a forensic investigation that was initiated by the Department of Transport into allegations of fraud and corruption relating to learner and driving licences around the country. More arrests in other provinces can be expected soon. We want to appeal to members of the public who may have any information that may assist in these investigations to please contact their local police. We are closing the net on fraudulent learner and driving licences and will leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to book. Attacking inefficiency, fraud and corruption in our driver licensing and testing systems forms an integral part of our mandate,” said Deputy Minister Cronin.
Last Friday, 13 November 2009, the Mokopane Regional Court in Limpopo sentenced a former traffic officer to six years' imprisonment, without the option of a fine, for fraudulently issuing learner and driver’s licences.
Last Wednesday, 11 November 2009, three men and two women, believed to be part of a syndicate which sold fake learner and driving licences in and around Bloemfontein, were arrested.
During September, in Piet Retief, an examiner was found guilty and sentenced to four years imprisonment for fraudulently issuing learners and driving licences.
During October, a police Captain from Pongola was sentenced to five years in jail, without the option of a fine, for buying a driving licence at the Piet Retief driving licence testing centre.
From April 2005 to 30 September 2009, the SIU instituted criminal cases against 2 022 private individuals and 350 government officials, with regards to fraudulent learner and driving licences. Of these, 1 079 criminal cases have been successfully concluded and 668 cases have been referred to departments and municipalities to institute disciplinary proceedings.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 644 4050
Trinisha Naidoo
Cell: 084 400 6721
Issued by: Department of Transport
17 November 2009
