The Tshwane Department of Roads and Transport is working hard to fight fraud and corruption at licensing centres.

The metro on Sunday suspended several officials implicated in four cases involving the issuing of fraudulent licences and corruption at the Akasia licensing centre, north of Pretoria.

According to MMC for Roads and Transport Katlego Mathebe, the internal hearing will follow an internal investigation.

“The suspension is for a period not exceeding three months with a provision of a further three to allow further investigation. Various metro service centres continue to experience allegations of fraud and corruption that compromise the metro’s service as a licensing service provider,” says Mathebe.

Mathebe adds officials were suspended after members of the public brought several allegations to the department.

“We have taken active measures to demonstrate our commitment to a corruption-free organisation. Other officials will be subjected to processes of law enforcement and internal processes in line with the metro’s disciplinary procedures.”

Victim

Nomonde Msomi (60) says her granddaughter was a victim of such corruption.

“Last year my granddaughter went to write her learner’s test and someone told her that if she paid R1 500, she would get her learner’s without even writing,” she adds.

“That was strange to me because I know that you have to write the test for you to pass. We didn’t give that person the money and surprisingly my granddaughter failed the tests even though it took her weeks of practice and I suspect that they failed her so that she could come back and give them the money,” claims Msomi.

She adds that whatever these officials were doing was unfair because issuing licences without proper procedures would lead to more accidents on the road.

“People are driving like they own the roads nowadays and that’s because of these scammers. More accidents are bound to happen because people obtain their licences in the wrong way,” says Msomi.

Steps to be taken

Mathebe says the metro will follow due process and institute consequences decisively on those implicated in illegal activities.

“We want to send the message that fraud and corruption have no place in the metro and we’ll continue to strengthen compliance tools,” adds Mathebe.

Mathebe urges residents to report any suspicion of fraud to the anti-fraud and corruption hotline on 080 874 9263.

“All whistleblowers using the hotline are afforded protection under the Protected Disclosures Act 26 of 2000 and Section 159 of the Companies Act 71 of 2008,” adds Mathebe.

The MMC shared tips on what residents could do to protect themselves from being scammed by licencing centre officials:

• avoid conducting any consultations outside the designated licensing office
• ensure that you are dealing with an official and insist on obtaining their name. It happens that scammers pose at metro officials or purport to have contacts at the centre
• obtain an official receipt or other proof for any payment made. All metro licensing centres are cashless.
• the metro doesn’t issue learner or driving licences without the requisite test having been successfully completed
• don’t take shortcuts
• any offer to circumvent the system amounts to bribery and you will become an accessory to the crime
• ensure that all your road traffic fines, licensing renewals and registrations are done on time and inside the offices at designated cubicles.