Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula on October 24 said the Special Investigation Unit’s (SIU’s) investigation has identified the drivers of the systemic and operational challenges that gave rise to the corruption and malfeasance within the transport sector.

The SIU had set out to investigate certain affairs of the national Department of Transport, the provincial departments of transport and local authorities and entities that perform functions in terms of the National Road Traffic Act.

The Minister said the investigation had determined that fraudulent conduct was driven by the backlog in the processing and issuing of driving licences, roadworthiness certificates and vehicle registrations.

Further, it found that corrupt officials and criminal middlemen exploited systemic weaknesses; that negligent and/or incompetent officials had access to the NaTIS system; and that there was inadequate compliance monitoring by relevant authorities.

Moreover, Mbalula outlined a lack of and/or weak management and oversight; a lack of standard operating procedures across national, provincial, local authorities and private institutions; and a lack of memoranda of understanding with local authorities, drivers licence testing centres (DLTC), private vehicles testing centres and private institutions.

Also, there has been no agreed minimum performance standards for officials and/or employees; and there was no financial autonomy, resulting in inadequate resourcing.

Mbalula also pointed to legislative gaps; greed which drives irregular and criminal behaviour; roadworthiness certificates being issued without vehicles been tested; the unlawful selling of licences by DLTC officials to private persons; and money dumping.

Mbalula also indicated that some driving schools were paying driving licence examiners to issue licences irregularly and/or fraudulently; to convert false foreign licences into South African card licences; and to authorise roadworthiness without vehicle testing.

MILESTONES

Mbalula said that, through the work of the SIU, some strides have been made to crack down on fraudulent activity.

So far, 99 acknowledgement of debt documents to the value of R44.7-million have been signed, with the actual value of cash recovered through this process standing at R3.8-million.

The actual value of cash recovered through the seizure of illegally imported vehicles during joint operations in respect of 375 vehicle recovered in Eastern Cape stands at R52.8-million.

Also, 190 190 driving licences have been referred to relevant MECs for cancellation; 190 173 driving licences issued to persons who have since perished have been referred for cancellation on eNatis; 44 cases have been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for prosecution; and 128 cases have been referred to various authorities for disciplinary, executive and/or administrative action.

There have also been 86 arrests made for fraud and/or theft during joint operations.

Mbalula also said that, over the last year, the SIU has been working with MECs and the South African Local Government Association to implement a number of interventions that are intended to address the root causes of these systemic and operational challenges.

“At the core of these interventions is a seamlessly integrated value chain guided by a single standard under the leadership of the RTMC. This would constitute a new service delivery model for all DLTCs in the country,” he emphasised.

Mbalula said various measures had been implemented, including the introduction of online services and online payments, the rollout of smart enrolment units across all DLTCs, and the centralisation of the management of booking slots.

On September 27, the National Assembly passed the National Road Traffic Amendment Bill, which addresses a number of areas covered by the SIU investigation, which includes the regulation of driving schools, Mbalula said.

“The regulation of driving schools through this legislation, will enable closer scrutiny of the conduct of these schools and ensue that uniform standards are applicable to all driving schools. This will also enable the inspector of driving schools established by the Bill to hold these schools accountable to the set standards,” he indicated.

Mbalula said stricter rules were being introduced to address cheating by learners or wayward behaviour by  instructors.

Moreover, the prevalence of criminal conduct ranging from cloning of vehicles to fraudulent issue of driving licences is a matter of concern that is receiving urgent attention, he emphasised.