Shongwe clamps down local driving school
"This initiative was long overdue, but I am glad that it has finally been launched. It shows that we are moving in a positive direction in terms of promoting safety on our roads."
MBOMBELA – Driving-school bribery is rampant in some of the testing stations around the province as it’s believed that there are testing stations in local municipalities that are well known for operating using the slogan “No bribe, no licence”.
During the launch of the agreement on regulation of driving schools at Nutting House Lodge and Conference in the CBD, the MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Mr Vusi Shongwe lashed out at traffic officers and driving-school owners who are involved in licence-bribery scandals.
“How can you enrich yourself by killing innocent people on the road by issuing licences to people who are not trained to drive on the road? We must not make money by putting people’s lives at risk on the roads.
To those who still continue to do this bribery thing, your days are numbered. I will be at your doorstep within a twinkle of an eye and I am not going to be polite, mark my words,” said Shongwe.
He stated that his department is tired of experiencing incidents of bloodshed due to horrific accidents that claimed lives of innocent people and breadwinners.
He said driving-school owners bribe traffic officers on their their clients’ behalf so that they can issue them drivers’ licences.
“This is not a banana republic where people can do as they please. If you fail to comply, don’t waste your time, the door is wide open, just leave the industry. Akunabhari ezoncengwa la Mpumalanga, angidlali. Sikhathele ukubona izingane zisala zingenabazali ngenxa yalama fong-kong drivers. Enough is enough,” warned Shongwe.
He said signing the pledge of the agreement on the regulation of driving schools will play a vital role to reducing road accidents.
Mpumalanga News also learnt that this move was also welcomed by different driving school associations. Mr Robert Mchube from the State of Africa National Association of Driving Schools said,
“This initiative was long overdue, but I am glad that it has finally been launched. It shows that we are moving in a positive direction in terms of promoting safety on our roads.”
Meanwhile, Mr Elijah Radebe from the Mpumalanga Provincial Driving School Owners Association added that they are excited about the move as they witnessed the signing of the agreement and he also stated that they started negotiations in October 2006.
“We salute our MEC for responding positively. Some of the owners in the industry left because they could not deal with the pressure as it has been a long journey,” he concluded.
