Johannesburg – Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi on Wednesday said there were "on-going investigations" into the alleged corrupt activities involving 106 officials at various driver testing centres in the province.
He also said he "welcomed" the recent arrests of seven officials on suspicion of corruption at the Sandton Driver Testing Centre and the Martindale Bulk Licensing Department in the City of Johannesburg.
The officials were arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).
"The arrests and investigations into alleged fraud and corrupt activities at driver testing centres in Johannesburg is fully supported by the provincial government and we will work closely with the city’s leadership in breaking criminal syndicates linked to these centres," said Vadi.
"Any action aimed at combating corruption is in the public interest and will be supported by the provincial department of roads and transport."
Vadi said that corrupt practices initiated through criminal syndicates, selected driving schools and the bribing of examiners at testing stations is a matter of serious concern.
He also pointed out that driver testing centres have been identified as critical areas for intervention in several surveys on public perceptions of corruption.
"A statement issued earlier today by Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba stated that between January 2008 and February 2016, 972 alleged fraudulent transactions at a total value of R14 717 444 were identified within the City," said Vadi.
"Indications are that syndicates allegedly colluded with certain licensing officials to perform illegal transactions on the licensing computer system."