Riyaz Patel
Fake drivers licences is costing the government billions of rands, the Portfolio Committee on Transport heard during a briefing by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
RTMC Chairperson, Advocate Zola Majavu, said people have been arrested for selling licences. “Selling of driver’s licences is a common business. If one deals with these offences, you will be saving government billions of rands,” Advocate Majavu said.
He also raised other challenges, such as disregard for traffic regulations, irregular shareholder committee meetings and legal challenges.
Committee member Bafuze Yabo said: “Cloned licence discs and number plates are easy to find. There are petty criminals who print the actual IDs. This is a thriving business and its taking revenue from government.”
He also raised the issue of corruption and bribes at testing centres and said cars should be equipped with cameras to address this problem.
Committee members also wanted to know more about the issuing of public driving permits to foreign nationals, the registration of cars from other countries and the eNatis system.
Chris Hunsinger said there was a need for driving school practitioners to be registered and an alignment of all provinces on the road safety programme.
The transport committee were also briefed by the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA).
CEO, Jeff Chuwe, told members that road crashes remain a huge challenge. “13 000 annual road traffic fatalities cost the state about R200 billion annually, with most road traffic crashes are preceded by road traffic offences and infringements. This is a catastrophe.”
Chuwe highlighted drunk driving, speeding, reckless overtaking in dangerous spots, distracted driving mostly due to cell phones and texting while driving, as particular challenges.
Chuwe added that there was nothing unconstitutional about the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Act, which has recently been signed into law.
“Aarto is not taking away anybody’s right to go to court, as claimed by opponents of the Act. The unconstitutionality issues were dealt with a long time ago, when the constitutionality of the Act was confirmed by the state law advisor and the parliamentary legal advisors.”
