'Officials take bribes from taxi owners'

The Gauteng department of transport has admitted that corruption and fraud are the causes of the backlog in the issuing of operating licences for minibus taxis, the head of the department, Ronald Swartz, and the chief director of registration and operating licensing, Bonga Majola, yesterday told the provincial government's transport portfolio committee in Johannesburg.

Operating licences and permits for the taxi industry have been a problem for the department for years.

It is alleged that because of the length of time it takes for taxi owners to get a legitimate licence they buy fraudulent documents from the department's corrupt officials - and hit the road.

This causes disputes between associations and taxi-wars violence. Minibus taxi routes are determined by the department in consultation with the municipalities.

Swartz admitted that the backlog in the issuing of taxi operating licences played a huge role in the violence in the taxi industry.

"Taxi violence has its roots in the way operating licences are issued. They might also be the cause of conflict over routes," said Swartz.

Swartz attributed the problems to the unit dealing with the issuance of operating licences being "way over" 50% under its employee complement.

Swartz said officials in the department were taking bribes from taxi associations and from taxi owners to speed up the application process.

Majola told the committee that there were "people" who "manufactured" documents for taxi owners - but no one was willing to give evidence.

He said the department received a tip-off in January about corruption and called in the police.

Statements were taken from the whistleblower and a criminal case was opened.

But, he said, the witness withdrew from the prosecution because "he feared for his life".

The inquiry ends tomorrow.