Eight Cape Town traffic officials face criminal charges over what the city said on Tuesday are 229 ”potentially fraudulent” learner’s licences and roadworthy certificates.
The irregularities, all committed during the last three months of 2006, were uncovered by the city’s internal investigators and the police.
Mayoral committee member for safety and security Dumisani Ximbi said transactions in motor vehicle cash offices going back 18 months are still being audited.
”We expect to find about 1 000 potentially fraudulent transactions during this period,” he said in a statement.
”The current investigation is focusing on the Khayelitsha traffic section, and investigations in other regions are to follow.”
He said so far eight staff members had been dismissed and now face criminal charges, and a further seven are under investigation.
The city will also take steps against any of its staff found to have acquired learner’s licences or roadworthy certificates illegally.
”We intend to send a clear message that this government will not tolerate corruption of any kind,” Ximbi said.
The city is notifying members of the public whose licences are linked to fraudulent transactions that their licences are under investigation. — Sapa