Combating fraud and corruption at drivers licensing and testing centres in Gauteng is being tackled following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Signed by Gauteng Transport MEC Ismail Vadi and the South African Insurance Crime Bureau (SAICB), it follows the identification of a need to investigate the incidence of fraud and corruption in the motor vehicle, driver licences testing and vehicle road worthiness environment.

Vadi says, “We are extremely pleased that the memorandum we are signing today will result in a formal partnership between our department and the SAICB aimed at reducing and combating fraud and corruption. It will formally strengthen the co-operation and co-ordination between the department and the SAICB.”

“The criminal threats posed to both government and the private sectors require an increased level of commitment and co-ordination between the public and private sectors.”

The partnership between the two is aimed at sharing information that relates to vehicle fraud, crime and corruption across the department, the insurance industry and other crime prevention agencies to enable an increased conviction rate of criminals operating in the sector.

It also aims to increase capacity and skills transfer in the department and SAICB on forensic investigations to detect fraudulent transactions, while also aiming to develop greater synergies between the two parties to reduce the risk of vehicle cloning.