Johannesburg - Motorists have been asked to be patient at licensing centres over the next few days as the police continue arresting the 106 targeted fraud suspects.
On Tuesday mayor Herman Mashaba announced that the first seven suspects had been arrested; now mayoral committee member for public safety Michael Sun has warned that the on-going arrests over the next few days would mean that licensing centre services would be affected.
“I request Johannesburg residents to please be patient during this time," he said. "I am certain residents will understand that this decisive action against corrupt officials is a positive step towards a cleaner and corrupt-free city that is committed to serving the residents of our city."
The city would be doing its best to minimise the effect on service delivery over this period, he said.
Meanwhile, Gauteng MEC for roads and transport, Ismail Vadi, has welcomed the arrests by the Hawks at the Sandton testing centre and the Martindale bulk licensing department.
He said he was supporting the on-going investigations into the alleged corrupt activities of other officials at various other driver testing centres.
Public perception
“The arrests and investigations into the alleged fraud and corrupt activities at driver testing centres in Johannesburg are fully supported by the provincial government," Vadi said, "and we will work closely with the city’s leadership in breaking criminal syndicates linked to these centres.
"Any action aimed at combating corruption is in the public interest and will be supported by the provincial department of roads and transport," he added.
Vadi emphasised that corrupt practices initiated through criminal syndicates, selected driving schools and the bribing of examiners at testing stations were a matter of serious concern.
He pointed out that driver testing centres have been identified as critical areas for intervention in several surveys on public perceptions of corruption at government service delivery sites.
Vadi said he had spoken to Sun, commending him for the actions taken and pledging his support for on-going investigations.