Transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele has ordered an investigation into a fake driving licence scam in Johannesburg.
A report in the Star on Tuesday detailed how investigators Candice Bailey and Dumisani Dube found that fake licences were available at four of the five City of Johannesburg testing centres. They were primarily organised by car guards and instructors from "fly by night" driving schools who work with centre examiners.
At Langlaagte a licence cost R4500, at Randburg and Florida R2500, and in Sandton R2700. The cheapest learner's licence was R800.
At Florida, several options were available. A car guard offered a fake temporary licence for R1200 and a fake licence card for as little as R1800.
The licence, which was allegedly printed at a pub, came with a Florida licensing centre stamp, a signature, fingerprints, and red tape covering the holder's photograph, just like the real thing.
All that was needed up front was R300 and two photos. Once the customer received their licence, they would pay the remainder of the R1200.
The car guard said: "It looks real and, if a metro police officer has to stop you, he won't know the difference. The only thing is it is not on the system.'
The fake card licence, according to the car guard, took a little longer to print - 30 minutes to be exact. It would cost R1800.
According to the car guard, there were several more options for getting a licence.
A "sure pass" learner's licence with the answers already filled in on the test paper would cost R900, in addition to the R108 administration fee charged at the centre.
"About R600 goes to the admin staff inside and R300 goes to the examiner. You won't have to fill in anything, you will just make as if you write - the answers will be filled in," said the car guard.
He said it needed to be organised through a driving school.
For your driving licence, advised the car guard, the person would book a legitimate test but would will never have to get behind the wheel.
Known as a "sure pass", it would cost R2500 - and the result would be a genuine driving licence.
Ndebele said: "Fraud and corruption will not be tolerated at any licensing centre. Therefore, we have instructed the National Traffic Police to investigate allegations of a fake licence scam in Johannesburg.
"Over the past year, several officials and members of the public have been arrested for fraud and corruption related to vehicle and driver licensing.
"We want to reiterate our warning to any person who involves themselves in such activities, that we will leave no stone unturned in such matters, he said.
"We are also calling upon the public to report such criminal activities to the National Traffic Call Centre on 0861 400 800." - Sapa/The Star