Allegations of corruption have been brought to the forefront after a community member recently visited the Edenvale Licensing Department.

Community member Thandi Ndlovu* recently visited the licencing department in March to do her test for her learners drivers license. However, after failing, she was informed that she would need to pay a fee if she wanted to pass the test.

Her employer Laurie Castelo* explained that Thandi recently approached her explaining that she was interested in buying a car.

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“I told Thandi that I would help her get her licence and help her get a car of her own,” said Castelo.

Castlelo said she contacted a driving instructor to book a slot.

Castelo highlighted that the driving instructor requested Ndlovu’s name, surname and ID number.

On March 16, a slot was booked for Ndlovu to do her eye and learner’s test while Castelo paid the necessary R108 for the booking.

“I did the eye test, and the examiner told me I failed the test.

“I told the examiner that I could see perfectly well and that there was no way that I could have failed.

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“She gave me a number and told me that I could phone it in order to buy a certificate stating that my eyesight was perfect,” said Ndlovu.

Ndlovu said she refused, and after doing the eye exam four times, she passed the exam.

Once her eye exam was done, Ndlovu waited for her learner’s licence test to start.

“Once inside the testing room, the invigilator asked us for our ID numbers and allocated us specific seats,” said Ndlovu.

She said that while she was doing her test, she noticed that some people were just sitting at the testing stations and weren’t even doing the tests.

“They sat for 15 or maybe 20 minutes before leaving the testing room,” said Ndlovu.

She said of the eight community members who went to write the test, only two passed.

Castelo said after Ndlovu wrote the test, they took the results to the driving instructor.

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“The driving instructor looked at the test and told us that if you don’t pay R2000, Thandi wouldn’t pass her test,” said Castelo.

“When I heard this, I was in disbelief. Whenever Thandi had practised her learners, she always got 100%,” said Castello.

She said that although she has tried to report this matter, all the contact numbers she has tried either do not work or keep ringing.

A request for comment was sent to the City of Ekurhuleni and EMPD on March 26, requesting comment by March 27 at 09:00.

EMPD’s spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa, acknowledged receipt of the enquiry and stated EMPD would provide comment on matter as soon as possible.

*Names changed to prevent victimisation