The outstanding investigative journalistic work carried out by the Sowetan Newspaper to expose illegal trading in fraudulent documents did not go unnoticed. As the MEC for Gauteng Department of Community Safety, I would like to applaud this outstanding work done by the reporters. It is only through closer collaboration and collective efforts by all citizens that together we can root out fraud and corrupt activities going on. It is regrettable that some of our people have directly benefited through these operations; however, people must understand that by profiting out of these operations you are merely being accomplice to the perpetrator.
As the departmental road safety strategy has exceeded its target of 30 percent reduction with regards road accidents and fatalities over the past five years, these fraudulent driving licenses poses a high risk as they increased a number of non competent drivers on our roads, thus resulting in increased number of road accidents and fatalities.
I appeal to the community at large to refrain from supporting these operators as the law enforcement agencies will act decisively to uproot these acts of fraud.
I would also like to congratulate the police for acting swiftly upon receipt of this information and the investigations are to be allowed to run smoothly in ensuring that the suspects are brought to book.
I am sure that further investigations be sufficiently conclusive on this matter, any other person with information on similar operations should get in touch as soon as they have the information.
For more information contact:
Sizwe Matshikiza
Tel: 011 689 3633
Cell: 082 778 9996
E-mail: Sizwe.matshikiza@gauteng.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Community Safety, Gauteng Provincial Government
10 July 2009
Source: Department of Community Safety, Gauteng Provincial Government
(http://www.gautsafety.gpg.gov.za)
