Driving schools urged to produce
competent drivers
Media Statement
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.
Issued by Mpumalanga Department of
Community Safety, Security and Liaison
Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza
Contacts: 082 678 1450
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