Body blow for learner drivers

2003-11-24 22:54

Deon de Lange

Johannesburg - Gauteng's MEC for transport has ordered all testing centres to stop accepting bookings for learner's and driver's licence tests, as from Monday.

According to an internal memo, sent out by MEC Kabisi Mosunkutu, the 26 driver's-licence testing centres in the province have until Wednesday to submit a list of all existing bookings.

Mosunkutu's spokesperson, Sizwe Matshikiza, said: "Our own corrupt officials and some driving schools are abusing the system."

He said the decision was taken so the department could stamp out corruption.

Matshikiza said some driving schools made illegal block bookings without even having pupils to fill the time slots. This caused an enormous backlog in bookings.

Some testing centres had a waiting period of up to four months.

Corrupt officials then recommended the names of these driving schools to people. The officials, in turn, got a kickback from the schools.

'Looking for a scapegoat'

Eno Mhlongo, president of the South African Institute for Driving Instructors, denied these claims.

He said their members followed a strict code of conduct.

Mhlongo said the MEC's decision was not the solution.

"It is a tragedy. The department of transport is looking for a scapegoat for its own bad management and corrupt officials," he said.

Peet Venter, chairperson of the national organisation for driving schools and instructors, was as upset.

"The law states applicants are responsible for their own bookings. It is, therefore, impossible for so-called block bookings to be made without the help of corrupt officicials," he said.

According to a statement by Mosunkutu's office, the system will be changed in the near future. A phone-in system is expected to be launched.

Applicants will be given a number to phone and they will be issued a reference number.

Within seven days of doing this, the applicant will have to go to the centre to start the formal process of booking a learner's and driver's licence test.

Meanwhile, Matshikiza said the department would use the next few months to catch up on the backlog.

- Beeld