What started as a probe into procedural irregularities at a roadblock, a joint operation between the Swellendam Traffic Department, Provincial Traffic, and Swellendam SAPS, should very soon be escalated into a full-scale investigation into corruption. An investigation may and should result in the axing of several top officials.
The Start
News62 was approached by several members of the community, particularly from Barrydale, who raised concerns about the way they were treated at roadblocks. In response, our editorial team consulted a magistrate from another municipal area to determine the rights of road users and, more importantly, the procedural requirements at roadblocks.
The Probe
On May 30, residents informed News62 of a roadblock set up in Swellendam. We decided that a Facebook Live transmission would be the most transparent way to cover the situation. It is important to note that we obtained permission from the top-ranking official at the roadblock before broadcasting.
To watch the video, follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/news62ZA/videos/3714196235536981
The Findings
The following irregularities were identified at the roadblock:
- Unauthorised officials, not appointed by the municipality, were receiving money from the public.
- TMT service provider camera operators were claiming to be clerks of the court.
- No appointed cashier, authorised by the municipality, was present to receive money.
- No authorised municipal clerk of the court was present to process summonses.
- An unauthorised official, without delegation from the NPA, was reducing summonses.
- Money collected from the public was deposited into the service provider’s account instead of the municipality’s account.
- Summonses were not processed according to legislative requirements (e.g., time frames and execution).
- Traffic official Gershan Jansen falsely claimed that the Pay Fine bus was a municipal asset.
- A traffic official falsely confirmed the presence of an authorised cashier and clerk of the court.
The Response
Swellendam Municipality issued a statement claiming that all procedures had been followed. They stated that the News62 article “lacked factual basis and risks undermining public trust in lawful municipal procedures.”
The municipality also asserted that “funds are managed and deposited following municipal financial procedures” and that “the presence of a court-appointed official on site is not a legal requirement in such instances.”
What became evident, however, was that this media statement appeared to be a knee-jerk response. None of the officials seemed to have watched the video that clearly documented the irregularities.
The Cover-Up
Just days after the irregularities were made public, several notable developments occurred at the Swellendam Traffic Department.
- Traffic Superintendent Jansen returned to work in full uniform while reportedly on leave. (Confirmation of his annual leave forms can be provided.)
- Unauthorized CCTV cameras were installed at the department. This could be interpreted as an attempt to identify internal sources leaking information. Experts believe it may also have been an attempt to intimidate suspected whistleblowers.
- Removal of several illegal cameras: Once it became clear that several privacy laws had been violated, Traffic Chief Charlene Saayman had several of the cameras removed. It is believed that only she and Jansen has access to the footage. These cameras, installed during the first week of June, were removed over the first weekend of the month. This can be confirmed by the entire staff at the department.
- Appointment of court clerks and cashiers: In what appears to be a desperate attempt to save face, multiple applications to appoint these officials were submitted between June 9 and 11.
- Failure to shut down the Traffic Department: Despite evidence of serious misconduct, the Swellendam Municipality has continued to allow individuals suspected of corruption to access the department’s buildings and computer systems. News62 understands that in such situations, a full shutdown is typically the appropriate response.
- No official investigation launched: All the above information has been brought to the municipality’s attention. To date, no formal investigation has been initiated, nor has a statement been issued confirming that one is underway.
The road forward
It is safe to say that the irregularities at the roadblocks may be only the tip of the iceberg. The only way to uncover the full extent of the situation is through an independent forensic audit. It would be a grave injustice to the taxpayers of Swellendam if not a single high-ranking official is held accountable following these revelations.
