MEDIA STATEMENT

DATE 9 JULY 2001

 
STATEMENT ON POLICING ABUSE OF KZN GOVERNMENT VEHICLES
Following the long history of government vehicle abuse in KwaZulu-Natal, the efforts of MEC for Transport in KwaZulu-Natal, Mr S'bu Ndebele to crack down on civil servants who abuse government vehicles, is definitely gaining momentum.

Presently, the official government vehicle fleet in KwaZulu-Natal consists of approximately 4 800 vehicles. Abuse of government vehicles can be classified as using the incorrect type of vehicle for a specific activity, bad driving habits resulting in excessive service and repair, failure to service a vehicle regularly, using a vehicle without the relevant authority, using a vehicle for private purposes, the fraudulent use of petrol cards and any contravention of the Road Traffic Act. Abuse of state-owned vehicles is tantamount to abusing taxpayers' monies.

As part of the campaign to stop the abuse of government vehicles, the Transport Department in KwaZulu-Natal has earmarked the month of July 2001 to intensify the policing of the use of government vehicles. During this month, the Road Traffic Inspectorate in conjunction with the SAPS and the Durban Metro Police will regularly set up random roadblocks throughout the Province, specifically targeting government vehicles, to ensure that officials utilising state vehicles comply with the Trip Authority requirements. A recent roadblock netted 23 defaulters where the vehicles were impounded and the matter brought to the attention of the management of the institutions concerned.

The Department has undertaken the following initiatives to ensure that official vehicles are easily identifiable:

  • Registration numbers bear the "KZN" prefix;
  • Licence plates have red writing on a white background;
  • Departmental decals are attached to vehicles, i.e. a sticker on either side of the vehicle stating the name of the Department that the vehicle belongs to; and
  • Vehicles purchased after 1999 are golden yellow in colour.

All state officials who utilise provincial government vehicles must be in possession of a Trip Authority Form. This form highlights the name of the driver, the start and end points of the trip and the details of the passengers to be transported.

Further, members of the public are reminded that instances of vehicle abuse may also be reported on the toll free line 0800 00 2375, which is cleared on a daily basis. Information on the vehicle registration, time, place and description of the misuse can be left, which is then processed and referred to the relevant line department for investigation and appropriate action. All allegations are investigated and where concrete evidence is found to prove them correct, disciplinary action is taken against the staff members involved. The cost of the private trip is deducted from the culprit's salary.

 

Issued By: Office of the MEC for Transport, KwaZulu-Natal

 

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