KZN Transport MEC Duma intensifies crackdown on licensing fraud and bribery

KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma said strides are being made to tackle allegations of bribery and corruption within the department's vehicle licensing centres. 

He said the department was looking to build on the successful work executed by the Road Traffic Inspectorate in terms of ensuring a decrease in road fatalities and road crashes.

“Importantly, we commend the team from the Traffic and Transport Inspection Unit (TTIU) within the Department for putting in place measures to eliminate any fraud and corruption associated with learner's and driver's licence applications, examinations and tests.”

Duma added that allegations of bribery had been received in relation to the allocation of dates for learner's and driver's licence examinations and tests.

He said the team from the TTIU is working jointly with the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the Hawks.

“This team is making progress in relation to the arrests of syndicates involving officials, driving school instructors, and applicants. We will continue to work with municipalities across the province to ensure that we produce well-trained drivers to be on our road networks.”

Providing an update on the migration of vehicles to the new number plate system, Duma said there are currently:

Licensed vehicles: 1 782 839

Unlicensed vehicles: 76 774

More than 1.7 million vehicles have migrated to the new number plate system.

Regarding weekend operating hours, the department said Empangeni Driver Licensing Testing Centre (DLTC), Mkondeni DLTC and Newcastle DLTC will not be operating on weekends until further notice.

Pinetown and Rossburgh will not be operating on weekends in January 2026 as well as Pietermaritzburg, Umbilo and Durban Motor Licencing Offices. 

The following municipality-run offices will be open on weekends according to the transport department:

• Amanzimtoti/Winklespruit DLTC is open on Saturdays, 10, 17, 24, and 31 January 2026 from 07h00 to 14h00 for all drivers’ licence-related transactions from 07h00 – 14h00.Payments are by both cash and card at the DLTC.
• Ballito Motor Licencing Office is open on Saturdays, 10 and 24 January 2026 from 08h00 to 13h30 for the renewal of motor vehicle licences only.
• KwaDukuza/Stanger DLTC and Motor Licence Office will be operating on Saturday, 17 January 2026 from 07h00 to 13h00. The DLTC will be rendering services to the public relating to drivers' licence-related transactions except Drivers Licence Testing and Vehicle Testing. Payments are by cards only (Master or Visa cards only) at the DLTC.
• Umhlanga Motor Licence Office is open on Saturdays, 10, 17, 24, and 31 January 2026 from 07h30 – 12h30.
• Verulam DLTC will be open on Saturdays, 10, 17, 24, and 31 January 2026 for all drivers’ licence-related transactions from 07h00 – 14h00.6 from 07h00 to 14h00.
• Winklespruit /Kingsburgh Sizakala Centre Motor Licence Office will be open on Saturdays, 10, 17, 24, and 31 January 2026 from 07h00 to 14h00.

THE MERCURY