A report by the National Audit Office has uncovered that over 90 percent of timekeepers recruited by the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority submitted fake educational certificates to secure their positions.

According to the authority’s recruitment and promotion procedures, passing mathematics is a minimum qualification for hiring timekeepers. However, the audit also revealed a startling twist—49 out of 361 officials responsible for verifying others’ educational certificates had themselves submitted fraudulent documents to secure appointments in various roles within the authority.

The audit recommended stricter enforcement of minimum qualifications as outlined in the recruitment guidelines to curb such malpractice in the future.

The counting officer of the Western Provincial Council acknowledged and agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations.