Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi is rallying behind the ongoing investigations in the City of Johannesburg’s licensing departments.
Vadi has welcomed the arrests by the Hawks of seven officials employed at the Sandton Driver Testing Centre and the Martindale Bulk Licensing Department. The arrests were made on 10 January by the Hawks and, at the time, Mashaba said this was made possible through close cooperation between the City’s anti-corruption unit and the Hawks.
According to a statement from Mashaba’s office, the syndicates colluded with certain licensing officials to perform illegal transactions on the licensing computer system. Among other things, there was a collusion to unlawfully allow motorists to obtain driver’s licences and disc licences, and to register vehicles.
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“The arrests and investigations into alleged fraud and corrupt activities at driver testing centres in Johannesburg are fully supported by the provincial government and we will work closely with the City’s leadership in breaking criminal syndicates linked to these centres,” said Vadi.
“Any action aimed at combating corruption is in the public interest and will be supported by the provincial department of roads and transport.”
Vadi emphasised that corrupt practices initiated through criminal syndicates, selected driving schools and the bribing of examiners at testing stations were matters of serious concern. He pointed out that driver testing centres have been identified as critical areas for intervention in several surveys on public perceptions of corruption at government service delivery sites.
Vadi also highlighted that he had spoken to the MMC for Public Safety, councillor Michael Sun, commending him for the action taken and pledging his support for the ongoing investigations.
Also read:
City busts 7 corrupt licence department officials
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