Unroadworthy vehicles: Officials bribed

2011-10-24 12:16

Johannesburg - Officials at vehicle testing stations are allegedly being bribed to register as roadworthy vehicles which have failed the test at other centres, The Star newspaper reported on Monday.

Roadworthy inspector Nico Pretorius told the newspaper that vehicles were being declared roadworthy less than an hour after his station in Springs, on the East Rand, had failed them.

Pretorius said officials were receiving "underhand payments" to declare the vehicles roadworthy, regardless of what was wrong with them or how dangerous they would be on the road.

He said he reported two of his employees to the transport department's corruption unit this year after he caught them receiving bribes.

"When I took my oath to be an inspector, I promised I would never be involved in corruption," he said.

"The corruption is rampant and it means dangerous vehicles are being allowed on the road."

Gauteng transport department spokesperson Octavia Mamabolo told the newspaper the department was aware of the corruption.

"This does not get reported enough by members of the public. We urge people to come forward and assist us," she said.

"If any wrong is found, the licence will be withdrawn and the centre closed down."

Democratic Alliance transport MPL Neil Campbell said unroadworthy vehicles were responsible for a large of number of road accidents.

"Numerous lives have been lost because of vehicles which have no right to be on the road... and the cost to the economy is staggering," he said.

- SAPA