OUTA blows whistle on vehicle roadworthy fraud in South Africa

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The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has vehicle roadworthy fraud in South Africa in its crosshairs. Specifically, it says it has uncovered large-scale vehicle roadworthy fraud in South Africa, reports IOL. The whistleblower says roadworthy certificates are being issued without proper inspections, adding more danger to the nation’s already deadly roads.

Back in December 2024, the Department of Transport amended several of its criminal laws. One key change was to eliminate any traffic officers, wardens and National Traffic Information System (NATIS) officials who obtained financial benefit through road transport-related services. Furthermore, examiners for driver’s, learner’s and vehicle licences, as well as traffic officers and licence inspectors, can now be suspended if they are convicted of any offences under the Criminal Procedure Act.

VEHICLE ROADWORTHY FRAUD IN SOUTH AFRICA

A bus plows into a wall in KwaZulu-Natal in 2024. Image: File

Nevertheless, despite the crackdown, OUTA has been conducting its own investigation into vehicle roadworthy fraud in South Africa. And it has handed over a report to authorities and Transport Minister Barbara Creecy. Worryingly, the report alleges that vehicles failing roadworthy tests in Gauteng are being certified at testing stations in Limpopo and North West. This happens in just minutes and, yet, these vehicles never physically leave Gauteng province.

According to a December 2024 Road Safety Report by the Transport Department, there were 16 527 vehicles deemed unroadworthy. 8 917 of these vehicles were impounded. The Department of Transport spokesperson, Collen Msibi, confirmed that the OUTA report had been handed over to provincial authorities. However, Msibi also revealed that arrests have already been made in connection with corrupt activities in Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

NETWORK OF FINANCIAL BENEFIT

OUTA also calls for more stringent, independent roadworthy testing of minibus taxis. Image: File

Furthermore, the OUTA report describes an alleged widespread network of corruption. This involves private business and public officials with a vested interest in vehicle testing centres. Offenders include large transport companies certifying their own fleets, thus avoiding the cost and inconvenience of legitimate roadworthy inspection. By law, buses and large trucks must be inspected every six months. But testing a large fleet of commercial vehicles twice a year can be costly. Moreover, OUTA is calling on authorities to ensure that independent testing stations conduct proper annual roadworthy testing on minibus taxis, too. Centres that are not linked to taxi operators, business owners or their associates.

The issue of vehicle roadworthy fraud in South Africa is particularly critical given the recent spate of deadly bus accidents across the country. Earlier this month, a bus and a truck collided on the N6 in the Free State, resulting in the deaths of 10 people. Then, a week later, a bus overturned near Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, killing 16 passengers and injuring dozens more. Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) spokesperson Simon Zwane said: “The RTMC is investigating all factors that could have contributed to these crashes. If there are issues relating to operators, they will be reflected in the final report.”