Customer pays R96 to fix their mistake
'To my amusement I was informed that to cancel their mistake, which was actually my fault, I must pay the R96'
WILLIE BURGER writes:
I am writing this letter in the hope that it would caution members of the public who also wish to apply for a Dangerous Goods (DGR) PDP.
As a pensioner I secured a job with a company and a DGR PDP is required to be able to fulfil my duties. I went to the licensing department in Kempton Park and requested the gentleman on duty what was required for my application.
He handed me a yellow form, a blue one I had to take to my doctor and a white one I had to take for completion at the police station. The one to be completed by the police indicated that the station commander had to verify and confirm that no criminal record was reflected against my name on their system. This was done, signed and stamped.
Armed with the yellow, blue and white documents, I played musical chairs with the rest of the applicants. About four hours later it was my turn for an eye test, finger prints (digital) and then off to the cashier to pay R228.
A gentleman by the name of TG Shongwe took my payment and requested the finger prints from the police. I explained that I was never asked to go for finger prints as it was not a requirement when I applied for my passenger and goods PDP more than a year ago.
He comforted me in suggesting that I do the finger prints with the police and once received, to hand them in and link it up with my file, which will then be processed.
About six weeks later this was done but not the end of my battle and frustrations, now a dangerous goods certificate was also required. I went back to my office, collected the certificate, made a copy and had it certified at the police station.
On December 1, I reported back at the licensing office and handed them the certificate. Needless to say, now it was required that I pay a further R96 as they had processed my application for a normal PDP and not a DGR PDP as I had indicated on the yellow form.
I made it clear that I had a PDP. Why would I apply for a second one and the fact that I indicated on their form my requirement (DGR PDP). To my amusement I was informed that to cancel their mistake, which was actually my fault, I must pay the R96.
I requested to see the person in charge and explained to him my predicament and he actually confirmed that it was not my fault. He discussed the issue with another lady but her attitude was one of “do as I say”.
The gentleman then discussed the issue with the cashier, Mr Shongwe, as he was of the opinion that the cashier needed to resolve the matter, after all, it was his incompetence that led to this misunderstanding.
Mr Shongwe then called me to one side, away from all around us, and explained to me that I needed to pay to enable him to process my application. Only he would know why he did not tell me that from behind his cashier desk. Realising that I would not get through to Mr Shongwe, I had to pay for their mistakes.
So, any future applicants, documents required for a DGR PDP, as it does not reflect on the licence office documents and they also do not tell you, like Shongwe said,” you are suppose to know”:
1. Completed yellow and blue form
2. Finger prints at the police station
3. Dangerous Goods Certificate specifying road carriage
