Corruption alleged in driver licence programme
Recently, the IFP's deputy chairperson in the Umzumbe Constituency, Simphiwe 'Jika' Mthethwa caused a stir on social media when he said he had a list of people from the Ugu District who had already been shortlisted for the programme.
Local, unemployed young people are now sceptical that they will be shortlisted for the KZN Department of Transport’s Thuthuka Driver Licence Programme after allegations of corruption.
Recently, the IFP’s deputy chairperson in the Umzumbe Constituency, Simphiwe ‘Jika’ Mthethwa caused a stir on social media after he said he had a list of people from the Ugu District who had already been shortlisted for the programme.
Mthethwa said: “People are being played through this driver’s licence programme by the Department of Transport. I have a list of people in the Ugu district who have been declared successful in being part of the programme and everyone else is wasting time because the licence holders are already known. This is being done in all the districts.”
Mthethwa shared the list with one of Fever’s sister publications (Ugu Eyethu) and some of the people on the list confirmed that they had been shortlisted.
Ntobeko Gwija from KwaJali in Harding said that he had submitted an online application some time ago, saying that when his form appeared in the system he did not see the need to apply again.
“I am happy to get this opportunity. I once tried to get my learner’s licence but I was not successful and it expired. I think I got a call two weeks ago and I was told that I was on the programme,” said Gwija.
Initially, the department said that the Thuthuka Driver Licence Programme is part of its interventions to skill the people of the province and to prepare them for the job market.
It added that since the advertisement on October 9, the department had received thousands of applications.
Meanwhile, news of the Thuthuka Driver Licence Programme application forms made the rounds after they were allegedly seen being sent for recycling.
Responding to the leaked list, the department’s spokesperson Kwanele Ncalane said they have noted the allegations referring to a list of beneficiaries.
He said they want to state categorically that the process will be fair, and every applicant will be given an equal opportunity.
He added that the department has also noted the false propaganda, which has gone viral on social media that application forms for the programme have been sent for recycling.
Ncalane said the department refutes any allegations that it would send applications for recycling and challenges anyone with evidence to bring it forward and prove such allegations.
“Firstly, when transporting such application forms from our regional offices, the department will always use government-branded vehicles not private vehicles. Secondly, the applications for this programme closed on October 17, therefore, the applications have not yet even been opened and attended to. The selection committee is still going to meet, open all the boxes, which are still sealed at this stage, and attend to all the applications,” he said.
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