NORTH West public safety officials say collusion between border customs officials and the importers of illegal cars into South Africa might be behind the increasing number of prohibited vehicles on the country's roads.
Public safety department spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said custom officials simply let the vehicles through in exchange for a "financial reward".
"These officials never check whether the owners of the vehicles have the correct documentation," he said.
"We only notice these vehicles when we receive complaints from taxi operators."
Kgwele said the increasing number of illegal vehicles on North West roads posed a safety "headache" for the department.
"Owners of illegal vehicles often use them to transport passengers who would otherwise use local taxis. This angers taxi operators because their business suffers." Kgwele said.
"Even more problematic is the issue of these illegal vehicles not reaching any agreement to use negotiated taxi routes."
Over the last three days 60 illegally imported vehicles have been impounded since the launch of Operation Enough is Enough on Wednesday.
South African Revenue Services spokesperson Adrian Lackay said the importation of second-hand cars into South Africa "is prohibited by law".
"People import vehicles and pretend they are destined for neighbouring countries. After some time the vehicles end up on our roads."
Lackay said Sars confiscated illegal cars and ultimately destroys them "if the owner does not make plans to export the car".
A Sars operation in Durban netted 46 vehicles worth more than R1,8million in October.
Kgwele warned passengers not to travel in these cars because "if you are involved in an accident the Road Accident Fund and other insurance companies will not cover you".
Kgwele said South Africans could recognise illegally imported vehicles by looking at the foreign numberplate registrations. Illegal vehicles impounded in Mafikeng mostly came from Botswana but Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland were also identified as "problem areas".
Border officials fingered in illegal cars scam
NORTH West public safety officials say collusion between border customs officials and the importers of illegal cars into South Africa might be behind the increasing number of prohibited vehicles on the country's roads.
Public safety department spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said custom officials simply let the vehicles through in exchange for a "financial reward".
"These officials never check whether the owners of the vehicles have the correct documentation," he said.
"We only notice these vehicles when we receive complaints from taxi operators."
Kgwele said the increasing number of illegal vehicles on North West roads posed a safety "headache" for the department.
"Owners of illegal vehicles often use them to transport passengers who would otherwise use local taxis. This angers taxi operators because their business suffers." Kgwele said.
"Even more problematic is the issue of these illegal vehicles not reaching any agreement to use negotiated taxi routes."
Over the last three days 60 illegally imported vehicles have been impounded since the launch of Operation Enough is Enough on Wednesday.
South African Revenue Services spokesperson Adrian Lackay said the importation of second-hand cars into South Africa "is prohibited by law".
"People import vehicles and pretend they are destined for neighbouring countries. After some time the vehicles end up on our roads."
Lackay said Sars confiscated illegal cars and ultimately destroys them "if the owner does not make plans to export the car".
A Sars operation in Durban netted 46 vehicles worth more than R1,8million in October.
Kgwele warned passengers not to travel in these cars because "if you are involved in an accident the Road Accident Fund and other insurance companies will not cover you".
Kgwele said South Africans could recognise illegally imported vehicles by looking at the foreign numberplate registrations. Illegal vehicles impounded in Mafikeng mostly came from Botswana but Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland were also identified as "problem areas".
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