Widespread Corruption in Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing Exposed

• Investigation reveals some testing stations issuing fraudulent roadworthy certificates in Limpopo and North West without mandatory inspections

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) compiled a damning investigative report uncovering systemic fraud in vehicle test stations (VTSs). OUTA’s investigation revealed several instances where vehicles failed roadworthy inspections in Gauteng, only to be issued with a certificate – sometimes in as little as 30 minutes – by testing stations in Limpopo or North West provinces.

“From what we uncovered, it is clear that these vehicles never left Gauteng for a physical inspection in another province, but that roadworthy certificates were nevertheless issued. This is fraud,” says Rudie Heyneke, Senior Project Manager at OUTA.

OUTA’s report was handed over to authorities and the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy.

“We trust that they will expedite investigations into this matter, since it could have profound implications for road safety, given the critical role roadworthy inspections play in preventing accidents and fatalities on South Africa’s roads,” says Heyneke.

OUTA’s report comes just weeks after the Transport Ministry’s December 2024 Road Safety Report, in which it was reported that 16 527 vehicles were found to be unroadworthy and issued traffic fines, as well as having their motor vehicle licence discs removed (where impoundment facilities were not available). In total, 8 917 motor vehicles were impounded in areas where facilities were available.

According to Heyneke,  perpetrators include private business owners and public officials with financial interests in the testing stations. “South Africa’s road safety crisis has reached alarming levels, with fatal crashes costing the country an estimated R186.5 billion annually. Unroadworthy vehicles are a significant contributor to this deadly trend,” he adds.

Key findings underline implications for public safety

OUTA’s report highlights several key findings, raising alarms about the integrity of the testing process and the potential for fraud and corruption within the system.

• Testing discrepancies: Vehicles that failed roadworthiness tests in Gauteng were issued valid roadworthy certificates on the same day at another testing station, often situated in Limpopo or the North West province. In several cases, the vehicles in question were probably never physically inspected.
• Widespread fraud: Vehicle testing stations across multiple provinces issue roadworthy certificates without mandatory inspections, possibly in exchange for bribes.
• Public safety at risk: Unroadworthy vehicles have been linked to fatal accidents, and the lack of proper roadworthy testing contributes to the ongoing road safety crisis in South Africa.
• Corruption network: A network of testing station owners, including public officials, has been identified as part of this scheme. Some testing stations are linked to owners of vehicle fleets.

Heyneke says OUTA is concerned that the owners of transport companies responsible for the transportation of passengers could possibly “inspect” their own vehicles and issue roadworthy certificates when the vehicles are not roadworthy.  “According to law, buses must be inspected every six months.  Testing a fleet of buses twice a year can become costly. But by ‘testing’ the vehicles and issuing your own roadworthy certificates, you save your transport company a significant amount of money annually.”

OUTA is also advocating for stricter measures when it comes to the roadworthiness testing of minibus taxis. “Millions of commuters are using taxis daily. Therefore, we call on authorities to ensure that independent testing stations do proper annual roadworthy testing, not stations linked to business owners or their associates,” Heyneke adds.

“Furthermore, we call on authorities to make it compulsory that the annual or bi-annual testing of vehicles used for transporting passengers, like taxis and buses, is done in the province where they are registered.”

Call for comprehensive investigation and prosecution

OUTA has shared its findings with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU) for further investigation and criminal prosecution of all involved.

The organisation proposed a series of reforms:

1. Comprehensive investigation: Authorities should investigate and prosecute the implicated vehicle testing stations, their owners and examiners, and vehicle owners involved in the fraudulent issuance of roadworthy certificates.
2. Regulatory reforms:
* Implement National Minimum Test Time (NMTT) regulations across all provinces to ensure thorough inspections.  The NMTT – guidelines on the minimum time required for a roadworthy inspection – was instituted by the Department of Transport, but is currently being enforced in Gauteng only. This may explain why some vehicle owners opt to get their vehicles tested in other provinces, sometimes without presenting the vehicle for a physical inspection.
* Introduce laws preventing transport business owners from testing their own vehicles or using affiliated stations for certification.
3. Technology and transparency: Develop an online, real-time system to record vehicle testing processes and reduce opportunities for fraud.
4. Government accountability: OUTA calls on the Minister of Transport to collaborate with NTACU and provincial authorities to investigate fraudulent practices.
5. The Premier of Limpopo has been urged to investigate the involvement of public officials in these activities.
6. Sustainable solutions: Research into policy measures that allow Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to repair unroadworthy vehicles, promoting both road safety and skills development.

Heyneke emphasises the urgency of the matter. “Our investigation exposes a deep-rooted issue that endangers the safety of all South African road users. Immediate action is required, and we urge government and law enforcement agencies to take swift and decisive action to ensure the integrity of the roadworthiness testing system.”