CAPE TOWN - A Parliamentary probe has uncovered problems in the traffic authorisation system.
Parliament's Portfolio Committees on Transport and Home Affairs says the Traffic Register Number (RTN) system, which allows foreign nationals to drive in South Africa, has been opened to abuse and infiltration by fraud syndicates.
The system is allegedly being used by undocumented migrants as an alternative to visas to open bank accounts, buy vehicles, and stay in the country illegally.
Parliament says as many as a million applications may have included fraudulent documentation and that the non-expiring TRNs are then used as substitute for visa.
Donald Selamolela, Parliamentary Transport Committee chairperson said the registration number, which was done to give leeway to foreign nationals, who are unable to register their vehicles for business in the country is now being abused.
"It's quite disheartening, painful and pathetic because when the regulation was passed, it was about creating an opportunity for those who otherwise could not be able to register their cars if they are here for temporary stay."
Selamolela added: "It is sad that every other thing that the government has tried to do to make every national comfortable in the country is coming back to haunt all of us."
He called on government and the concerned entities to work with speed and identify all TRNs that were fraudulently obtained and mischievously used for things that they were never meant for.
The committees expressed dismay and said the TRNs should be modified, and linked with systems at the Department of Home Affairs.
“This speaks to the challenge of silo mentality across government departments, and we need to resolve that, and get to the bottom of our challenges. Illegal immigration is hampering our country and pitying poor people against poor people,” said Selamolela.
The committees heard that within 20 minutes of being issued at Barkly West office, the TRNs were duplicated in Cape Town using one phone number to register numerous other TRNs.