Transport Minister vows to fight corruption

Friday, July 3, 2009

Parliament - Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has vowed to combat fraud and corruption with regards to procurement and tender processes, the Road Accident Fund and issuing drivers' licences.

Delivering his Budget Vote in Parliament on Friday, Mr Ndebele said working with the Department of Home Affairs, he would ensure documents have enhanced security and unquestionable integrity to be accepted in the country and internationally.

"We will pay particular attention to combating fraud and corruption in procurement and tender processes, the Road Accident Fund and drivers' licences," he said.

The contract of the current service provider for the drivers' smart cards expired on 30 April this year and it was extended to 31 December to allow for a proper tender process.

The minister said the department would appoint a new service provider by the end of the year.

He said a new computerised examination system for learner licences will root out fraud and corruption.

Mr Ndebele said plans to computerise all learner licence centres would also start immediately.

However, new mobile licence testing centres will bring access closer to those living in rural communities.

KwaZulu-Natal already has 21 fixed stations and two mobile stations; Gauteng has one fixed station and two mobile stations; Mpumalanga has three fixed stations and one mobile station