Operation Shanela: Public Transport Enforcement Unit (PTEU)

In early 2004, with the explosion of fraudulent and corrupt activities within driving licence testing centers and the public service at large, the need was identified to create a component that would address and curb such activities
The TTIU was established to address the deparment’s needs in the above respect
The unit is appointed in terms of the national road traffic act 93/1996 as amended by government gazette
The purpose of the component is to identify, investigate and combat fraud & corruption, conduct inspections/audits to ensure compliance to relevant legislation and procedures at municipal and provincial driving licence testing centers and fraud and corruption generally within the department of transport.

Functions

Identify & Investigate Fraud & Corruption at Municipal and Provincial Driving Licence Testing Centers.
Establish measures to facilitate monitoring & inspection by the regions.
Co-ordinate visitations to Inspect & monitor DLTC’s.
Conduct audits on documentation at DLTC’s.
Ensure DLTC’s compliance with legislation & policies and correct interpretation.
Promote DLTC’s uniformity in procedures & standards.
Investigate irregular / corrupt activities of traffic officers.
Devise fraud & corruption counter-measures.
Gather evidence & undercover operations participation with SAPS.
Evaluation of drivers for recruitment purposes.
Rendering expert evidence for criminal & disciplinary proceedings.
Identify & Investigate Fraud & Corruption at the Public Transport Licensing Board and within the Taxi Industry
Identify & Investigate Fraud & Corruption and irregular practises within the offices of the
Department of Transport.
Facilitate the deregistration of Authorised Officers
Ad-hoc operational and patrol duties in support of PTEU
Regulation of Driving School activities
Conduct Appeal Driving Licence Tests

Background

Established to eliminate fraud, corruption and irregular practises in the:

Driving Licence Industry;
Public Transport Industry (Permits / Operating Licences);
Components within the Department of Transport, in the Province of Kwazulu-Natal;
To inspect and monitor Driving Licence Testing centers to ensure compliance to legislation and policies and to promote uniformity in respect of operation;
To investigate irregular/corrupt activities of Traffic Officers, Examiners for Driving
Licences and other Departmental Officials;
Advise Driving Licence Testing Centers on legislative requirements;
Reduce the possession of fraudulent licence documentation;
Restore the integrity of the Licensing system;

Successes

Closed down Mtubatuba DLTC and had officials arrested for fraudulently issuing driving licences;
Closed down Empangeni DLTC and had officials arrested for fraudulently issuing driving licences;
Closed down Ezingoweni DLTC and had officials arrested for fraudulently issuing driving licences;
Closed down Umzimkhulu DLTC and had officials arrested for fraudulently issuing driving licences;
Closed down Richmond DLTC and had officials arrested for fraudulently issuing driving licences;
Closed down Underberg DLTC and had officials arrested for fraudulently issuing driving licences;
Closed down Rossburgh DLTC and had officials arrested for fraudulently issuing driving licences;
Closed down Utrecht DLTC and had officials arrested for fraudulently issuing driving licences;
Closed down Harding DLTC and had officials arrested for fraudulently issuing driving licences;
Closed down Mandeni DLTC and had officials arrested for fraudulently issuing driving licences;
Including numerous other miscellaneous arrests;