The fight against corruption in the issuing of driver’s licences has taken a decisive turn after Transport MEC Duma confirmed that an examiner and a learner were caught cheating and manipulating a learner’s licence test.
The incident, captured on surveillance, forms part of a broader crackdown led by the Department’s revived and elite Transport and Traffic Inspection Unit (TTIU), which is now using real-time monitoring and advanced technology to detect fraud at testing centres.
Authorities have confirmed that the examiner implicated in the scandal has already pleaded guilty, raising serious concerns about the integrity of testing systems and the extent of corruption within licensing processes.
Officials say the operation is far from over. The TTIU, working closely with the Assets Forfeiture Unit, is intensifying efforts to dismantle syndicates involved in bribery and fraud linked to driver’s licences. This includes targeting the financial gains of those involved, with plans to seize assets such as vehicles, houses, and bank accounts connected to illegal activities.
Head of Department Zibusiso Dlamini has also moved swiftly to address the issue at its root. He has initiated the process of blacklisting certain private driving schools, along with their instructors and examiners, who are suspected of playing a role in corrupt practices across various testing centres.
The Department has warned that more arrests and disciplinary actions are expected as investigations continue, signalling what officials describe as a “game over” moment for those attempting to undermine road safety through fraud.
Authorities maintain that the crackdown is aimed at restoring public trust and ensuring that only qualified drivers are allowed on South Africa’s roads.
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