Transport officials are implicated in fraud
"As a department we condemn and despise fraud and corruption. We do not tolerate officials who abuse their positions of responsibility and use them to steal taxpayers' money.
SEKHUKHUNE – The Department of Transport in Limpopo, through its anti-fraud and corruption unit, has uncovered the theft of R7,4 million from its traffic summons account. Three employees have been dismissed, while 10 resigned following the investigations. One official is currently going through disciplinary hearing. The investigation and the breakthrough followed information that revenue was lost at various traffic stations at district offices. According to the information, contravention, traffic and revenue officials collected postal orders from various post offices in Limpopo, addressed to various traffic stations. They would then redeem the postal orders, but not deposit the money into the departmental bank account. The investigation revealed that the rot began as far back as 2009. It was further discovered that some officials reduced amounts on summonses even though the traffic offenders sent the correct amount on postal orders.
The department consequently opened criminal cases against the suspects through the commercial crime unit.
The MEC for transport and community safety, Nandi Ndalane welcomed the breakthrough by the department and hailed the anti-fraud and corruption unit for the hard work and tenacity it displayed throughout the investigation.
“As a department we condemn and despise fraud and corruption. We do not tolerate officials who abuse their positions of responsibility and use them to steal taxpayers’ money.
We will continue to investigate any acts of corruption within the department,” said Ndalane.
She warned would be criminals within her department that they will face the full might of the law.
