Johannesburg – A former Limpopo traffic officer appeared in Polokwane magistrate’s court on Wednesday on more than 900 charges of violating the Road Traffic Act while operating as an examiner for driving licences.

This was a record number of offences for a driving-licence examiner, said the national transport department.

The department’s Marleen Ronald said examiner M S Pela’s appearance in court came after a four-year investigation into the issuing of driving licences at testing centres in Limpopo province.

The investigation was conducted by the department and the special investigating unit.

“The investigators found a total of 21 000 driving licences had been issued in an irregular manner in the province.

“These driving licences are in the process of being cancelled.”

Ronald said Pela, who was based in Nebo at the time, was charged with more than 900 violations, including charges of failing to conduct eye tests.

Was fined R12 000

He also failed to conduct eye tests properly and failed to comply with other requirements in the act.

“Pela pleaded guilty to the charges and was fined R12 000 or three years’ imprisonment, suspended for five years.”

He has been de-registered as an examiner of driving licences.

Ronald said it was expected that another 30 driving-licence examiners from Limpopo would be charged with similar violations within weeks.

Wendy Watson, the department’s chief director of land transport regulation, said every requirement for obtaining a driving licence served a function.

“Failing to check visual acuity could lead to drivers with dangerously impaired eyesight getting valid driving licences.

“How often do we hear the excuses ‘I just didn’t see him’, or ‘he just came out of no-where’ when crashes occurred.”

Watson said Pela also neglected to determine whether applicants were medically fit, thereby possibly allowing people with untreated epilepsy and diabetes to get licences.

Medical conditions ‘must be controlled’

“Drivers with these conditions are allowed on the roads only when they are receiving treatment and these medical conditions are being controlled.

“It goes without saying that a driver with uncontrolled epilepsy or diabetes may pose a danger to other road users.”

She said it was important the department did everything in its power to identify irregularly issued driving licences.

“We have to get the unfit and unqualified drivers off our roads,” said Watson.

Edited by Iaine Harper

Source: News24.Com
URL: http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/New…/p>