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Daily Maverick
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Drive to survive — the cost of SA's road safety crisis
South Africa's roads are a death trap — claiming nearly 12,000 lives a year, draining 3% of GDP and enabling corruption through fake vehicle roadworthiness checks. With failing infrastructure, rigged testing stations and weak roadworthiness inspection enforcement, every fake certificate risks another fatal crash. As investigations begin, will the government finally steer policy in the right direction — or keep driving blind? 'To ensure greater safety on our roads, and reduce the devastating toll road accidents have on lives and livelihoods, we aim to reduce road fatalities by 45% by 2029 so we reach the UN target of halving road fatalities by 2030,' said Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy during the ministry's budget vote in Parliament on Wednesday, 2 July Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) puts the crash bill at R186-billion a year – about 2.8% of GDP – well above the global average for middle-income states. Statistics SA shows about 6,423 road deaths were officially recorded in 2019 on death certificates. However, the RTMC State of Road Safety 2023 and international data estimate the real annual toll closer to between 11,883 and 12,000. For context, that places South African road fatalities (25 per 100,000) at levels worse than countries such as Botswana (~18 per 100,000), the UK (~3 per 100,000) and only slightly better than Mozambique (~31 per 100,000). 'We will never have accurate stats of how many accidents are caused by unroadworthy vehicles … we cannot even quantify the cost,' says the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse's (Outa's) Rudie Heyneke, one of the lead authors of a 2025 report on corruption allegations at vehicle testing stations (VTS). The Stats SA record confirms the 25-39 age group bears the brunt – a direct drain on households, employers and the tax base, let alone the human cost. Heyneke makes this point clear: 'It's not a direct expense, but it's my money, it's your money, that goes into financing that ambulance, that hospital. It's a huge cost to the country.' Why is this happening? Law, tests and stations The National Road Traffic Act of 1996, Regulation 138 and SANS 10047/10216 make it clear: every car must pass a physical inspection at change of ownership, with annual tests for taxis and trucks, and semi-annual for buses. 'Passenger vehicles must be tested only with the change of ownership … so you can think that there's a lot more that can go wrong' says Heyneke. Many of the vehicles on the road today might fail a roadworthiness inspection, and requiring more frequent checks would indeed make our roads safer. However, even when Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR) checks are required, the answer is not that simple. Second testing The problem, as Heyneke explains, is that many testing centres are vehicles for corruption. For example, if your vehicle fails a test in Gauteng, you can skip repairs or buy a pass in Limpopo or North West, a process enabled by a loophole in the way we manage vehicle roadworthiness fraud has become such an issue that Minister Creecy requested a probe be launched by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). The National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) does not log failed test data or block a second pass, even if a pass is registered on the system within minutes after failing in another province. The RTMC was not able to provide data on the number of fraudulent CoRs logged and voided in response to written questions by Daily Maverick and referred our queries to the Department of Transport. The department had not responded to any of Daily Maverick's questions by the time of publication almost a week later. Outa's 2025 probe shows dozens of cross-border 'pass buys' every month, heavily used by taxis, buses and mine trucks. Stats SA data show only 54% of Gauteng's road deaths happen where the victim lives – mirroring the same cross-border test routes. 'Your car dies in Gauteng, but it's born 'safe' in Limpopo – that's the scam.' Private stations, public conflict Since the 1990s, private vehicle testing stations have multiplied to boost capacity – but oversight has fallen by the wayside. Limpopo now issues far more CoRs than its national fleet share of about 6% would justify, according to Outa data. Many station owners are also fleet operators, second-hand dealers or local politicians – an obvious conflict. The SIU's investigation falls under Proclamation 191 of 2024, signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, covering officials, owners and syndicates. Unsafe roads, bad cars, a perfect storm The 2025 Africa Status Report on Road Safety shows South Africa's roads often lack lighting, signage and routine repair – add that to our decaying fleet plus fraud guarantees failures. Many 'driver error' fatalities are actually mechanical failures – worn brakes, broken steering, bald tyres that never saw a real inspection lane. Stats SA shows 27% of victims die in hospital and 13% are dead on arrival – strained public health infrastructure means that weak trauma care and rescue make the damage worse. International data confirm countries enforcing periodic inspections cut fatality rates by half or more. The WHO's Global Status Report on Road Safety of 2023 shows that countries with more frequent mandatory public roadworthiness inspections, which are centrally logged, consistently see fewer road fatalities over time, particularly with regard to mechanical failure-based crashes. The UK mandates annual testing, while Japan and Germany mandate biannual roadworthiness tests – and the numbers all demonstrate the clear efficacy in reducing crashes and fatalities. There has been a welcome decrease in road fatalities this year, with Easter weekend being notably calmer, with a 45.6% change since last year. 'We commend all those who played a role in this outcome,' said Automobile Association (AA) CEO Bobby Ramagwede in a statement earlier this year noting the improvement. 'Through coordinated efforts, we are finally beginning to see measurable improvements in road safety.' DM What this means for you The SIU's large-scale investigation is now live – asset freezes, possible criminal charges could see the light of day to investigate vehicle trading centres and a decline in the number of roadworthy certificates that are improperly issued. Outa hopes to host a national roundtable later this year with the ministry, SIU, fleet groups, taxi councils and VTS owners to push fixes. The fixes are not rocket science, according to Outa's Heyneke: Enforce periodic testing for older cars – the law already allows it; Upgrade NaTIS with a national block: fail once, no second pass without repairs; and Mandate photo and video evidence for every test, meaning no false paperwork. Until the loopholes close, every fake CoR is potentially a road crash tax that's quietly draining nearly 3% of South Africa's GDP – but until paper matches metal, we're paying in blood and billions. DM
IOL News
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
RTMC reports 15 fatalities in weekend crashes, warns against reckless driving
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has urged motorists to exercise caution and show respect on the roads following a devastating weekend of accidents that claimed fifteen lives in head-on collisions. Image: City of Cape Town The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has raised alarm over a devastating weekend on South African roads, during which fifteen people lost their lives in three separate crashes since Thursday. Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) spokesperson Simon Zwane says that the corporation is deeply concerned about the high number of road fatalities this weekend. Reckless and negligent driving is suspected in all three incidents, as each involved a head-on collision. The most recent crash occurred on Sunday night, on the N18 approximately 40km from Mahikeng to Setlagole in the Ngaka Modire Molema District, North West Province. Two vehicles collided head-on, killing four people at the scene. The body of one of the victims was discovered when fire emergency vehicles were booked into the South African Police Service pound for safekeeping. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ On Friday, five people lost their lives in the same province when four vehicles were involved in a multiple car crash on the N4 between Swartruggens and Groot Marico. 'It is alleged that one vehicle collided with another. Two other vehicles also crashed into each other at the scene,' said Zwane. On Thursday, five more people, including a toddler, died when a light delivery vehicle that was being chased by the police crashed head-on into another light delivery vehicle travelling in the opposite direction on the N18 in Hartswater, Northern Cape. 'The RTMC reiterates its call to motorists to exercise caution on the roads and show respect to each other and to law enforcement officers,' Zwane said. IOL News
The Citizen
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
RTMC CEO's suspension due to host of serious whistleblower allegations
Makhosini Msibi's contract said to have been irregularly extended and RTMC is in a dire financial state because of 'financial decisions he personally took'. A disturbing pattern is said to have emerged under Makhosini Msibi's watch. Picture: GCIS A host of serious allegations by a whistleblower against the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) CEO Advocate Makhosini Msibi led to him being placed on precautionary suspension effective from 1 July 2025. Moneyweb is in possession of four emails sent to the Public Protector by the whistleblower between 7 June 2025 and 1 July 2025 containing allegations against Msibi. The emails were copied to a number of parties, including the Department of Transport (DoT), parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) chair Songezo Zibi and The Presidency. Some contained 'supporting documents', with the whistleblower making a 'formal request for an investigation into financial misconduct, irregular expenditure and governance failures' at the RTMC. They include allegations of financial misconduct, irregular procurement, abuse of authority and governance failures under the leadership of Msibi. ALSO READ: RTMC CEO suspended amid misconduct probe A 'pattern' Eight specific issues were raised, with the whistleblower stressing that these matters reflect 'a pattern of financial mismanagement, executive overreach and disregard for governance principles'. 'I respectfully request that your office initiate a full and independent investigation into the matters raised.' Among the issues raised: Acknowledgement of financial crisis without accountability, with it alleged that Msibi on 31 May 2025 issued a circular to all staff acknowledging the RTMC 'is in a dire financial state, facing severe liquidity constraints and an unsustainable fiscal position'. A letter allegedly issued by the Auditor-General refers to R33.48 million in overspending against the total RTMC adjusted budget. The whistleblower said this admission is accurate but Msibi 'fails to account for the root causes of this crisis, which are directly linked to a series of financial decisions he personally took – often against the explicit recommendations of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO)'. Irregular CEO contract extension and misuse of state resources, with it alleged that Msibi's contract extension is non-compliant with the RTMC Act and did not involve a public advertisement of the post or include the required concurrence from the minister of finance, with these omissions rendering the extension procedurally irregular and potentially unlawful. ALSO READ: RTMC board on board with contract extension? The whistleblower claims the justification provided by the RTMC board for Msibi's contract extension was that it was necessary to ensure 'stability in management' ahead of national elections. However, this reason 'does not meet the standard for lawful deviation from statutory requirements' and 'this rationale sets a dangerous precedent and appears to be a clear abuse of authority and process'. A further claim is that Msibi's contract extension does not entitle him to the use of a company vehicle. Yet Msibi allegedly continues to unlawfully use a state-owned vehicle in direct contravention of this. 'This constitutes a misuse of public assets and a breach of ethical governance principles,' the whistleblower states. 'This matter warrants urgent investigation, as it reflects continued disregard for governance frameworks and a pattern of executive overreach.' ALSO READ: Additional allegations Some of the other allegations made by the whistleblower relate to: Procurement of mobile vehicle testing stations (MVTS) for the Western Cape, which was allegedly approved by Msibi at a cost of about R25 million despite the CFO's clear written objection due to lack of budget, resulting in concerns about a possible undisclosed relationship between Msibi and the MVTS supplier. The approval of salary adjustments for more than 250 traffic officers at a cost of about R22 million, which was allegedly not recommended by the CFO because of affordability concerns but overruled by Msibi. The unbudgeted relocation of the RTMC to new offices before December 2024 at a cost of R47 million, including setup and furnishing costs, when this expenditure was allegedly not included in the approved budget. Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy confirmed on Friday morning during an exclusive one-on-one interview with Moneyweb that Msibi has been suspended. She says the RTMC board told her it had received allegations against Msibi that it is investigating. ALSO READ: Outa highlights widespread fraud at vehicle roadworthiness testing stations Hastily prepared announcement Follow-up questions about Msibi's suspension by Moneyweb to the Transport Ministry and RTMC on Friday resulted in both parties hastily issuing a general media statement shortly before 3.30pm – a few hours after Creecy's confirmation of Msibi's suspension to Moneyweb – instead of responding directly Moneyweb. It is believed the Transport Ministry wanted to avoid a media outlet being the first to disclose Msibi's suspension. The DoT said in its statement the RTMC board indicated in its letter to the Transport Ministry that it took the decision to suspend Msibi following whistleblowing allegations of financial misconduct, irregular expenditure and governance failures at the entity. 'Based on the seriousness of the allegations, the board has taken a decision to institute a forensic investigation into these allegations,' it said. The DoT said Msibi will be on precautionary suspension for a period of 30 days, extendable to 60 days, or any further period as may be reasonably necessary. Refilwe Mongale has been appointed Interim RTMC CEO with effect from 1 July 2025 until further notice 'to ensure continuity and stability within the RTMC while the forensic investigation is underway'. ALSO READ: Outa: Public misled about driving licence card validity Why the delay in announcing Msibi's suspension? There was a lack of transparency up until Friday about Msibi's suspension, which is in stark contrast to, for instance, the way the Road Accident Fund (RAF) CEO Collins Letsoalo's suspension was announced. The DoT statement said Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa was officially informed of Msibi's precautionary suspension by the RTMC Board following a board meeting held on 13 June 2025, with Msibi's precautionary suspension coming into effect on 1 July 2025. Msibi's suspension was announced 11 days after the effective date. In the RAF case, public announcements were made by the Transport Ministry within hours of a RAF board decision about Letsoalo being placed on special leave and subsequently when the RAF board rescinded that decision and suspended Letsoalo for insubordination because of his alleged refusal to attend a meeting of Scopa. ALSO READ: RTMC condemns corruption, calls for tougher sentences Where there's smoke … Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) CEO Wayne Duvenage says the RTMC would not have suspended Msibi unless the allegations against him were sufficiently substantiated to warrant his suspension. He says the RTMC had members on the bid adjudication committee for the new driving licence card machine – adding that Outa could clearly see there was wrongdoing, yet the RTMC did not. The Auditor-General earlier this year found that the award of a tender worth R898 million by the Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) to IDEMIA Identity and Security South Africa for the production of the new driving licence card was irregular. This led to Creecy instructing the DoT to lodge a high court application for a declaratory order on how to proceed with the tender given the AG's audit report. This article was republished from Moneyweb. Read the original here.
The Herald
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald
RTMC board suspends CEO Makhosini Msibi
The board of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has placed its CEO, advocate Makhosini Msibi, on suspension after allegations of financial misconduct, irregular expenditure and governance failures at the entity. Deputy minister of transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa said in a statement the board has officially informed him of Msibi's precautionary suspension after a board meeting held on June 13. The suspension came into effect on July 1. Spokesperson for the department of transport Collen Msibi said in its letter to the ministry, the board had indicated it took this decision after whistle-blowing allegations of financial misconduct, irregular expenditure and governance failures at the entity and that based on the seriousness of the allegations, the board has taken a decision to institute a forensic investigation into these allegations. 'The CEO will be on precautionary suspension for a period of 30 days, extendable to 60 days or any further period as may be reasonably necessary,' Msibi said. 'The board has also advised the ministry of the appointment of Ms Refilwe Mongale as an interim CEO, with effect from July 1 until further notice to ensure continuity and stability within the RTMC while the forensic investigation is under way.' TimesLIVE
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
RTMC CEO suspended amid misconduct probe
RTMC CEO's suspension comes after reports of irregular expenditure and a R3.9m bonus triggered governance concerns. Advocate Makhosini Msibi (RTMC CEO) during the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) launch of a ground breaking public-private-partnership with WeBuyCars at WeBuyCars Dome on August 22, 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Fani Mahuntsi) The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) board has suspended CEO Adv. Makhosini Msibi for 30 days after allegations of financial misconduct and governance lapses surfaced. The Department of Transport announced on Friday that Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa was informed of Msibi's precautionary suspension by the RTMC board of directors following a board meeting on 13 June. Msibi's suspension took effect on 1 July 2025. He will remain suspended for 30 days with the possibility of an extension to 60 days or longer if necessary. RTMC CEO suspended following whistleblower claims 'In its letter to the ministry, the board indicated that it took this decision following whistleblowing allegations of financial misconduct, irregular expenditure and governance failures at the entity,' the department said. 'Based on the seriousness of the allegations, the board has taken a decision to institute a forensic investigation into these allegations.' Refilwe Mongale has been appointed as interim CEO until further notice to ensure continuity and stability with the corporation while the forensic investigation is underway. ALSO READ: Corrupt KZN driving licence duo convicted 'It's quite a lot of allegations that have been made, but I suppose the board is moving on the basis of presumption of innocence [until] proven guilty,' department spokesperson Collen Msibi said in an interview with eNCA. The board appointed Msibi as CEO in 2003 and, last year, awarded him a R3.9 million performance bonus. The spokesperson confirmed that the bonus was one of the issues under scrutiny. R3.9m bonus under scrutiny 'I suppose the board will have to look into that and also the issue of governance. It also relates to how the board managed to oversee all this under their watch,' he said. He added that Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy is focusing on clean governance, and she is supportive of investigations that lead to this outcome. 'We also don't want to judge people that they are already guilty when the investigations are not even completed,' the spokesperson said. NOW READ: 13 killed, scores injured in Mpumalanga and KZN accidents
