MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Willies Mchunu has commended the police for busting four men in connection with fake learner's and driver's licence in uMlazi yesterday, 24 January 2013.

Reports reveal that the men allegedly took R5 500 for a learner's licence and another R5 500 for a drivers licence from an unsuspecting parent, who paid the money on behalf of her daughter.

The police confirmed with the Road Traffic Inspectorate that the licences were indeed fraudulent. A laptop and a printer, which is believed to have been used in manufacturing these fraudulent documents, were confiscated in the homes of two suspects in Florida Road. The suspects are expected to appear in the uMlazi Magistrate court today, 26 January 2013.

Mchunu condemns and discourage corrupt activities in acquiring drivers and learners licences as this undermines government's efforts to prioritise road safety and the fight against the scourge of road carnage.

"The issue of criminals issuing fake drivers licence is a serious concern. Many people die on our roads every day and one of the major reasons is because people do not obey the rules of the road. How do we expect motorists to adhere to the rules of the road if they possess fake learner licence and driver's licence? This behaviour will not be tolerated. I would like to appeal to our Courts to take such offences seriously. I would also like to commend the police for their swift move in apprehending these criminals. This is a lesson to all other criminals that the police will always have the upper hand," said Mchunu.

Issued by: KwaZulu-Natal Transport