An employee of Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, has been found guilty of fraud involving the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS).

The worker, identified as Mr KZH Mchunu, was implicated in fraudulent motor vehicle licence disc renewal transactions amounting to over R5 million. The matter came to light during an internal disciplinary hearing, following investigations by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).

According to the RTMC, the transactions were conducted off-site using Mchunu’s NaTIS login credentials. None of the money from these irregular transactions was deposited into the municipality’s bank account.

Mchunu faced charges of gross dishonesty, abuse of authority, and bringing the municipality into disrepute. He attempted to defend himself by claiming the NaTIS system had been hacked. However, RTMC’s expert testimony dismissed this claim, confirming that there was no evidence of a system breach.

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“Had the system been hacked, multiple accounts would have been compromised. In this case, only the accused’s credentials were used,” the RTMC explained.

The presiding officer concluded that Mchunu failed to account for how his confidential login details were allegedly leaked. He was found guilty on all charges.

Neither the RTMC nor the municipality have disclosed the disciplinary sanctions or possible criminal proceedings to follow.

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