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Driving schools urged to produce competent drivers 

07 November 2011

 Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison Traffic Management General Manager, Sibandiso Nkuna, has urged the driving schools owners to train learner drivers thoroughly before they obtain driving licences to ensure that only competent drivers obtain licences.

He explained that that there are about 1.9 million of youths in the country who need driving licenses, and it the responsibility of driving school owners that every applicant they train knows how to drive before getting a license.

Nkuna pleaded with the driving schools owners to report officers at the testing stations who take bribes or sell driving licenses.

He said that the driving schools were key in removing corrupt officers in the stations because they know the officers who take bribes.

Nkuna was speaking during a meeting between the department and driving schools’ owners held in Middelburg on Thursday [03 November 2011], where the owners said that they want government to monitor driving schools in order to ensure compliance and even remove those who operating illegally. 

“We are aware that you are fighting amongst yourselves when making bookings for your learner drivers. We are therefore appealing that you work together in the interest of your learner drivers. Give each other a chance to book,” said Nkuna.

Driving schools’ owners have meanwhile told the department that they will not rest until they are regulated, saying that it will prevent fly by nights driving schools’ from operating.

They complained that they do not receive support from government, yet they are being blamed for corruption and most accidents that occur on the roads. 

The owners alleged that it is some officers working at testing stations that are corrupt, who make their applicants buy licenses and they are forced to comply as they are afraid to lose their businesses. 

They even pleaded with the department to increase the salaries of officers at testing stations so that they will refrain from taking bribes. 

They also requested that testing officers be rotated all over the province so that they do not get used to one station and take bribes.

The driving schools owners further said that they will forward a memorandum to the Department of Education to prevent it from taking driving lessons to schools, saying it will destroy their businesses.

The meeting agreed that all driving schools will receive accreditations from government for monitoring purposes.

A resolution was taken to set up a task team representing all driving schools’ owners that will liaise with the department to follow up on issues that were raised in the meeting.

Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza
Contacts: 082 678 1450

 

Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison

 


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