MEDIA STATEMENT

KZN TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SERIOUS ABOUT FRAUD AND CORRUPTION

Excellent team work between officials from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and the Department of Justice has secured another two convictions relating to learner licence fraud at the Rossburgh Licensing Centre in Durban. This brings to eight the number of people arrested at Rossburgh in connection with fraud and corruption since the beginning of this year.

Denise Naidoo (37 years) residing in the Bluff and Rachael Kisten (34 years) from Chatsworth were both found guilty of corruption and conspiracy to commit a crime respectively yesterday in the Durban Magistrates Court. Both were sentenced to a fine of R2 000-00 each, and five years imprisonment suspended for five years on condition that they co-operate with the on-going investigations.

Meanwhile, letters have been dispatched to about 500 other potential suspects informing them that if they do not voluntarily come forward with information that they may possess regarding similar offences, they face the prospect of having their licences cancelled.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Mr S’bu Ndebele, has welcomed these convictions and warned that more arrests were imminent. "My Department has taken a firm stance against any criminal offence. We are going every step of the way to ensure that any officials or members of the public found to be involved in corruption, fraudulent activities or other crime will be severely dealt with", Ndebele said.

Ndebele has urged members of staff and the public to come forward with any information that will lead to more arrests and convictions in this regard. Calls may be directed to our Mpimpa Hotline 086 221 10 10.

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