Plans to scrap illegally obtained driver's licences welcomed

27 October 2022

The DA in the Western Cape welcomes efforts to have illegally obtained driver’s licences scrapped. This comes after Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, announced plans to tackle fraud related to the administration of driver’s licenses.

In response to a Special Investigating Unit probe, the National Department of Transport has referred over 190 000 unlawfully obtained driver's licences to provincial MECs for cancellation. Additionally, 88 people were arrested for fraud as a result of the investigations. These included 36 vehicle testing examiners, 10 Natis officers, 26 Driving Licensing Testing Centres employees, four provincial department of transportation inspectors, and seven civilians.

MPP Ricardo Mackenzie says, “I applaud these arrests and urge the national department to look into the matter further. I will be submitting parliamentary questions to the Western Cape Minister of Mobility to enquire if any investigations into Driving Licensing Testing Centres in the province will be conducted and how many drivers in the province will be affected by the scrapping of these illegal licences.

Norms and standards need to be implemented to ensure that this corruption is rooted from the system. Fraud and corruption in the administration of driver’s licenses is not only a serious crime but also a morally bankrupt practice which places the safety lives of motorists and all other road users at risk.”

Issued by Ricardo Mackenzie, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Transport, 27 October 202