Corruption and fraud at testing station

The Randburg License Testing Station has been at the centre of a licence controversy.

There are claims that fake licences are being sold outside its gate, and bribes are being paid for guaranteed test passes.

Station manager Charles van der Heever said there are people selling fake licences outside the gate of every licence testing station in the country. “They offer quick tests and fake licences,” he said.

On investigation, one individual said he could provide a driving licence, another said he knew someone who could. While another individual, sitting about five metres inside the premises, said he could also provide driving licences.

To demonstrate how they produce fake licences, Van der Heever created one and printed it from his computer. He did this in two minutes, and all that was missing was the photograph and thumbprint.

Van der Heever explained he could not do anything about the perpetrators outside the gate, and that the police had to deal with them.

Randburg police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johannes Maja said Randburg police had not received any complaints about the illegal trade of driving licences outside the testing station and that, “if no one ever complains the police will never know”.

In another incident, Patrick (28) allegedly paid R2 500 into the private bank account of his driving instructor, who promised him a driving test he could not fail. Patrick, who does not want his surname published, produced a deposit slip which he claims was for the transaction. He was also told he could only attempt the test through a certain examiner. Nevertheless Patrick failed the test because he rolled down a hill during the test.

Afterwards Patrick’s instructor told him that for a further R1 000, a driving licence could be organised without a test. Patrick did not pay the second time.

He believes his examiner was in on the deal because his instructor told him he worked with the examiner, and Patrick had to test with him. Patrick explained he was tested without possessing a copy of his ID, merely because he told his examiner who his instructor was. According to the station, a test without an ID is “impossible”.

Just before the test Patrick had to wait in the car while his instructor and the examiner spoke. Van der Heever denied the examiner’s involvement, claiming on previous occasions the instructor had promised his students a pass for a bribe, and pretended to be working with the examiner.

The instructor also claimed his own innocence, saying it was all a misunderstanding. “The R2 500 was for my services, not for a licence,” he said.

Patrick does not want to go to the police because he will be arrested and he says it will affect his career.

Details: Randburg License Testing Station 011 793 3792, Randburg Police Station 011 449 9000.