HOD, Mr Thulani Sibuyi
Transport Regulation Chief Director, Mr Sibandiso Nkuna
Senior Managers from the department
Other officials
Members of the media
Last week when delivering the department’s Policy and Budget Speech, I indicated that the department cancelled thirty-nine (39) irregularly issued learners’ licences at Mhala Licensing Centre. This happened last year after learner driver’s applicants were assisted to pass their tests by officials.
The quest to end corruption at our Driver Licensing Centres did not end hence we continued to monitor our stations through the department’s inspectorate unit.
While conducting a routine inspection of files that relates to 226 files containing applications for EC Driver Licences (Code 14) issued at Piet Retief Licensing Centre between January and December 2009, officials noticed some discrepancies.
Out of the 226 files that were lifted, it was found that 164 drivers’ licences were irregularly issued. Among others, it was discovered that in other instances, registration numbers of some of the vehicles which were reportedly used for testing were forged.
As part of the investigations, the department also interacted with 25 owners of the vehicles that were allegedly used and they indicated that they were not aware that their vehicles were being used for driver testing and they did not own any driving schools. It was also discovered that in other instances, registration numbers of vehicles which were reportedly used were for sedans and others did not even exist.
This constituted violation of the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 with regards to issuing of the driving licences by both applicants and examiners. The applicants were subsequently served with notices of intentions to cancel their driving licences. Out of 164 people who received the letters, only ten applicants responded and they could not substantiate as to why the department should not cancel their driving licences.
Subsequent to these interactions, the department cancelled the 164 driving licences and the people in possession of the fake licences were therefore required to return those licences to the department or any licensing centre. The applicants will be required to start re-applying for their driving licences if they still wish to do so.
As a way forward, the department will further block the affected individuals’ identity numbers on the eNaTIS system so that they are not allowed to do transactions with regard to licensing until their invalid licences are returned to government.
Companies are also requested to assist the department by ensuring that the employees whose licences have been affected are not allowed to drive because they may endanger the lives of other innocent road users.
The department has further cancelled 74 roadworthy certificates which were issued by VTeq Piet Retief Vehicle Testing Station between 24 December 2012 and 16 January 2013.
They were cancelled because they were issued by the pit assistant and that the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 outlines that an appropriately graded examiner of vehicles shall examine and test a motor vehicle before a roadworthy certificate is issued and not a pit assistant. The pit assistant had authorized the certificates using an infrastructure number for an employee who had left the testing station without formal resignation from 22 December 2012.
The owners whose vehicles were irregularly issued with the certificates will be expected to return those certificates and apply for retesting. The department will further block them in the system from accessing any licensing related transaction until they reapply for valid roadworthy certificates.
The department is subsequently suspending the registration of VTeq Testing Station for 12 months effective from today due to failure on the part of the owner to ensure that officials at his station acted in accordance with the law.
Criminal cases have been registered with the police for both incidences, and they are being investigated.
We are further calling on community members to assist government in rooting out corruption at testing stations. We believe it is not only the responsibility of the department to end corruption but we all have a role to play. The communities need to report perpetrators to law enforcement agencies so that appropriate steps are taken.
If we continue to have unroadworthy vehicles on the road, lives of innocent road users will be affected due to accidents. We also need to rid our roads of unfit drivers as this also lead to unnecessary accidents and loss of lives. Our department will continue with its random screening of various testing stations, programmes to enhance road safety education enforce the law and deal harshly with those who needlessly break the law.
I thank you
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4037
Cell: 082 678 1450
