THE Limpopo department of roads and transport has suspended its administrator for operating licences over allegations of misconduct.

THE Limpopo department of roads and transport has suspended its administrator for operating licences over allegations of misconduct.

Johanna Seabi was placed on "precautionary suspension" on Friday last week pending furtherinvestigations.

She is implicated in allegations of improper handling of operating licences.

Department spokesperson Boiki Tsedu said the decision was in keeping with the commitment to ensure that the actions of officials were beyond reproach and adhered to the highest level of professional ethics.

"The department remains committed to transforming the public transport industry, and in particular the taxi and bus industries," Tsedu said.

"This is more so as we seek, through the taxi recapitalisation programme, to ensure a truly empowered taxi industry as it already serves almost 65percent of the commuting public."

Seabi allegedly solicited bribes from people applying for permits.

She would allegedly keep the applications in her office to frustrate applicants who were desperate to start operating their taxis.

A source said: "For instance, a person would apply for permits for two taxis," Tsedu said.

"The public transport board would approve the permits, but Seabi would only authorise one permit and keep the other until the applicant had paid her for the other permit."

In some instances, Seabi allegedly issued permits for 22-seater taxis while the board would have approved one for a 35-seater taxi.

Tsedu said the department took a "dim view of malpractices" and would investigate the matter thoroughly.