Pretoria – Government officials are being trained on how to tackle problems relating to fraud, corruption and vehicle related crimes at Driver License Testing Centres (DLTCs) and other vehicle registration offices.
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and the South African Insurance Crime Bureau (SAICB) launched the 10-day training programme on Monday.
“Criminal networks target officials within government institutions to register stolen vehicles and then sell these vehicles back to unsuspecting members of the public.
“So our partnership with the bureau is to improve the skills set of our officials so as to prevent corruptive practices taking root within testing centres,” Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi said.
The programme will focus on best practices, legislation, and audit processes to ensure that fraudulent and corrupt activities are uncovered and will result in the successful prosecution of perpetrators.
It will also ensure that internal investigations are aligned to add value to cases reported to the police for further investigation.
The SAICB estimates that almost 60 percent of vehicles stolen and hijacked in the country are re-sold locally to innocent buyers.
“Our training programme will serve to equip compliance personnel of the department and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality to be well positioned to conduct internal investigations into fraudulent transactions at Registration Authorities, Vehicle Testing Stations and DLTCs in the province,” Chief Operating Officer of the SAICB Hugo van Zyl said.
The bureau and the provincial Department of Roads and Transport have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to address the issues of fraud and corruption.
SAICB has vast experience in dealing with vehicle related criminal syndicates. The bureau represents the insurance industry in the fight against organised crime. - SAnews.gov.za
