Fifteen people have been arrested in Howick, KwaZulu Natal in a major crackdown on corruption related to the fraudulent issuing of motor vehicle driving licences. Another official was not found and law enforcement officials have a warrant for his immediate arrest.
The suspects including four driver licence examiners, a clerk, a cleaner and nine learner licence applicants were nabbed in a joint police action by the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s National Traffic Anti Corruption Unit, the Hawks and KwaZulu Natal Traffic and Transport Inspectorate Unit.
The arrests followed a year-long investigation in which officials from the Howick driver learner testing centre were observed engaging in unethical and corrupt conduct at the centre.
The suspects are expected to appear at Durban Commercial Crimes court on Thursday.
Investigations are continuing and more arrests are expected.
Corruption related to the issuing of driving licence documents is a major concern and is believed to contribute significantly to road accidents is South Africa.
About 80% of fatal crashes are attributed to human error and the ability of the drivers to handle the vehicle plays an important role in this.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
