The Limpopo Department of Roads and Transport is working with the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) on the investigation of fraudulent driving licences. Investigations commenced in 2007 and recommendations on it has revealed the following:
- Calculation errors
- No eye-testing conducted
- Road test time less than required
- Yard test time less than required
- Administrative errors, e.g. application forms not fully completed
- K53 procedure not adhered to, e.g. test reports signed by examiners who did not conduct the tests.
The department has implemented all the recommendations from the SIU:
- 1 183 driving licences were cancelled
- 61 examiners were suspended from the eNATiS system
The affected driving licence testing stations are:
- Sekgosese
- Marble Hall
- Lephalale
- Mokopane
- Tzaneen
- Blueberg
- Phalaborwa
- Makhado
- Polokwane
- Bochum
The Department is currently utilising the anti-fraud and corruption unit and SAPS to investigate corrupt practices in driving licence testing stations. Currently, we are investigating 2 such cases.
The department has also deployed computerised learner licence testing systems to 15 driving licence testing centres as a mechanism to prevent corruption. The MEC for roads and transport in Limpopo, Pinky Kekana, has ordered that these computerised learner licence testing systems be rolled out to the remaining 17 testing centres in the 2012/13 financial year.
The department has assisted driving school operators to develop their own structures in order to better manage their operations.
The National Road Traffic Act does not cater for operations of driving schools, which makes it difficult for the department to manage illegal operations on the part of driving schools. However, nationally, there is a draft Bill that will compel driving schools to register with the department.
According to MEC Pinky Kekana,” the high number of cancellations of driving licences and suspension of examiners provides tangible proof that Limpopo is taking the lead in efforts to clear the fraud rot which exists in testing centres throughout the country”.
Media enquiries:
Thesan Moodley
Cell: 082 902 1361
