KZN Department of Transport has said motorists who fraudulently obtain their driving or learner’s licence will, from April, be prevented from re-applying for a licence for a certain period of time.
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has said motorists who fraudulently obtain their driving or learner’s licence will, from April, be prevented from re-applying for a licence for a certain period of time.
The department said the new rule comes into effect with major changes to the Road Traffic Act in April. A person who cheats during any examination will also be prohibited from applying for a licence or permit for a specific period from the date of the offence. The person who cheated also forfeits any payments made and any licence or permit issued or authorised will be cancelled.
The department said driving schools will no longer be allowed to make appointments for applicants. Applicants for licences, permits or examinations will in future have to apply in the area where they commonly reside. The department said his will negate the practice of “touting” for appointments at various testing centres, which leads to fraudulent activities.
The head of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa, said that the measures were necessary in the light of the several cases of fraud and corruption.
Last week, Kenneth Thabo Mahenya of the Hibiscus Coast Municipality was fined R8 000 in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court for fraudulently issuing driver’s licences. His registration to practise as an examiner of licences and vehicles has also been cancelled.
This week, Mahendra Ramsunder and Venokanthan Perumal Govender, employees from the Isipingo Roadworthiness Test Station near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, will appear in the Durban Magistrates Court to be sentenced after being found guilty of 676 counts of fraud.
The offences took place between 1996 and 1997 where certificates of roadworthiness were issued without the vehicles undergoing the necessary roadworthy tests. In many instances, the vehicles were not even present at the test centre when the roadworthiness certificates were issued.
The department also said it had evidence of corrupt activities at the Rossburgh Test Station in Durban. A spokesman said action has already been taken against two officials and other officials will be redeployed and monitored.
“People who issue fraudulent learner’s and driving licences and roadworthy certificates should be sent to jail. We urge members of the public who are aware of such activities to come forward with information,” Mbanjwa said.
