STAFF at the RTI Pinetown Licensing and Testing Centre began a protest over “unbearable working conditions” on Monday, December 8, after the centre was among a few across Durban where water and electricity services were disconnected because of an unpaid bill.

Ndabezinhle Sibiya, the spokesperson for the MEC of Transport and Human Settlements in KZN, Siboniso Duma, said last week, the department had hoped that the “matter will be resolved by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure”.

“Regarding the opening of centres today, unfortunately, we were made aware of protests by staff. They have cited unbearable working conditions. We apologise to all categories of staff and members of the public who have been inconvenienced,” said Sibiya.

Sibiya said the closure of centres will cost the government “billions of rands in revenue collection”.

“The Durban-based motor licensing and testing centres are the leading generators of revenue. There are people who are buying cars for the festive season and they are battling to do registration and licensing.

“It should be stated that in the last financial year, the Department of Transport collected more than R2.5b through our centres. This money was directed to the fiscus and redistributed by the treasury to all government departments, including municipalities.

“Two weeks ago, MEC Duma and his team reported before the Portfolio Committee on Finance that the department has already collected R1.2b this quarter. This money will be distributed to all government departments, including municipalities.

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“In terms of our projections, this closure will undoubtedly derail us from exceeding the R2.5b we generated this previous financial year. Government needs sources of revenue in order to fund service delivery. These developments are a source of concern but MEC Siboniso Duma is hopeful that these matters will be resolved,” said Sibiya.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Friday, December 5, Steve Bhengu, the spokesperson for the KZN Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), said the department’s annual rates bill amounts to R1.8b, which far exceeds its R900m budget from the provincial Treasury, which is for rates.

“This is already not enough and means right off the bat KZN Public Works and Infrastructure is sitting with a significant deficit.

“Much of the rates debt is historical over a period going back some 20 years. Despite this KZN Public Works and Infrastructure remains fully aware and committed to its obligation to pay the outstanding rates amounts and intends to honour this, however, it has been unfortunate that some municipalities have not engaged in good faith and in some cases have constantly moved the goal post,” said Bhengu.

According to Bhengu, DPWI owes the eThekwini Municipality about R500m in rates and that attempts to engage in talks with the municipality have been unsuccessful.

“It has also come to the attention of KZN Public Works and Infrastructure that several municipalities have been charging the department significantly inflated rates amounts, in some cases as high as 40%, as confirmed by independent evaluators,” said Bhengu.

Bhengu said the situation has prompted DPWI to approach the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) to declare an inter-governmental dispute.

“While KZN Public Works and Infrastructure takes responsibility for the payment of outstanding rates and is working vigorously to resolve the matter, it should be understood that the department is not responsible for the payment of water and lights. That is the onus of each department. KZN Public Works and Infrastructure is hopeful that with the intervention of KZN COGTA, as a mediator, a solution will be found soon.

“KZN Public Works and Infrastructure remains committed to finding a lasting solution to this issue and looks forward to working together with all stakeholders so that the people of this province can have access to government services which they are entitled to as taxpaying citizens,” said Bhengu.

Last month, the KZN Department of Transport and Human Settlements said that the disconnection of services was done despite bills having been settled.

Duma said at the time: “In the meantime, we wish to indicate that in our RTI Pinetown Licensing and Testing Centre, we are currently using a generator to provide back-up power.”

Municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said the municipality does not discuss the account information of customers with a third party.

“However, we wish to emphasise that all customers, including government departments, are expected to settle their accounts. Where arrears exist, disconnections are implemented in accordance with eThekwini Municipality’s Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy. These measures are standard practice and are applied consistently to ensure financial sustainability and the continued provision of municipal services to all customers.”

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