MPUMALANGA MEC for community safety, security and liaison Vusi Shongwe is determined to root out corruption at testing stations that has infested the province's roads with incompetent drivers.
Shongwe yesterday launched two computerised learners' testing stations in Standerton and Emalahleni.
"Most accidents are caused by human error and these computerised systems will ensure that all drivers who get driving licences are competent and credible," said Shongwe.
He said the stations would not only assist in eliminating corruption, but would also produce competent drivers who would always adhere to the road rules to ensure that accidents were minimised.
The system will be piloted at three driving licence testing centres - KwaMhlanga, Mbombela and Mhala - at which the most fraud and corruption allegations have often been reported.
Shongwe vowed to flush out corrupt officers and officials from testing stations.
"If the municipalities fail to run the stations effectively, the department will withdraw the function from the municipalities as it happened with KwaMhlanga testing station where irregularities were identified."
Last month, a horrific train accident claimed the lives of 24 farmworkers on the N4 highway at Hectorspruit near Malelane.
Truck driver George Mandlazi apparently failed to stop at a level crossing. He has been charged with murder and will appear in court again on August 14.
Shongwe called on the owners of driving schools to support the system and refrain from the mindset of only making money.
Speaking at the safety and security summit in Secunda earlier yesterday, Shongwe warned other provinces to be wary of criminals seeking safe havens in other provinces .
"My colleagues from Free State and Northern Cape must guard their provinces because as we clean our province, these criminals will go and look for safer havens elsewhere,"Shongwe said.
He said fighting crime was everyone's duty. "Whether you are wearing a uniform or not, the bottom line is, if you want a crime-free Mpumalanga, you must work with the law enforcement officers."
The summit ends today. - mashabas@sowetan.co.za
Bid to root out rot over licences
MPUMALANGA MEC for community safety, security and liaison Vusi Shongwe is determined to root out corruption at testing stations that has infested the province's roads with incompetent drivers.
Shongwe yesterday launched two computerised learners' testing stations in Standerton and Emalahleni.
"Most accidents are caused by human error and these computerised systems will ensure that all drivers who get driving licences are competent and credible," said Shongwe.
He said the stations would not only assist in eliminating corruption, but would also produce competent drivers who would always adhere to the road rules to ensure that accidents were minimised.
The system will be piloted at three driving licence testing centres - KwaMhlanga, Mbombela and Mhala - at which the most fraud and corruption allegations have often been reported.
Shongwe vowed to flush out corrupt officers and officials from testing stations.
"If the municipalities fail to run the stations effectively, the department will withdraw the function from the municipalities as it happened with KwaMhlanga testing station where irregularities were identified."
Last month, a horrific train accident claimed the lives of 24 farmworkers on the N4 highway at Hectorspruit near Malelane.
Truck driver George Mandlazi apparently failed to stop at a level crossing. He has been charged with murder and will appear in court again on August 14.
Shongwe called on the owners of driving schools to support the system and refrain from the mindset of only making money.
Speaking at the safety and security summit in Secunda earlier yesterday, Shongwe warned other provinces to be wary of criminals seeking safe havens in other provinces .
"My colleagues from Free State and Northern Cape must guard their provinces because as we clean our province, these criminals will go and look for safer havens elsewhere,"Shongwe said.
He said fighting crime was everyone's duty. "Whether you are wearing a uniform or not, the bottom line is, if you want a crime-free Mpumalanga, you must work with the law enforcement officers."
The summit ends today. - mashabas@sowetan.co.za
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