Mogale Citly Local Municipality says that they wish to set the record straight about the early closure of the Licensing Department on 8 August.
“After thorough investigation the municipality wishes to state for the record that despite a notice being placed at the entrance of the facility 14 days before the date, the department was never closed on that day. Community members were assisted until 5pm,” says Nkosana Zali, municipal spokesperson.
However, the NEWS went to the Licensing Department on that day after several community members complained that the security guards had locked the gate and refused to let anyone in.
The security guards at the premises told the NEWS that they only were letting people in who had learner’s and driver’s licence bookings, but that the office staff who handle new licence bookings and applications had left at 10am.
Heida Breet and Estelle Esterhuizen who were turned away both said that they had taken time off from work to renew their driver’s licences.
Esterhuizen said that she had to drive all the way from Randburg just to end up at a closed gate.
“Why did they not notify the public in advance that the office would close earlier, now we have wasted our time and fuel for nothing, and I have to ask my employer for time off again. This is ridiculous.”
Dumisani Kunene from Kagiso, who owns a business in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), drove all the way from KZN to fetch his renewed driver’s licence since his temporary licence has expired. He said he was in a very difficult position.
“It is frustrating. I have my business in KZN and just came to collect my driver’s licence; now I don’t know what to do.”
He said the closure of the Licensing Department robbed him of valuable time as he had no choice but to wait until Monday 12 August to fetch his licence.
The NEWS tried to phone the head of the department on 8 August, but no one answered.
It seemed that the staff took a long weekend off as the Licensing Department was closed on Saturday 10 August as well.
“It should also be noted that Saturday is not an official working day for our staff, but despite not being obligated either via legislation or employer-employee agreements, management and staff took the initiative to render these much-needed services,” comments Zali.
“Our Licensing Centre is a leading facility and is used as the benchmark for other municipalities in the province. This high rating emanates from the continuous attempt to uphold Batho Pele principles.”
Feel free to let us know whether you were affected by the events at the Licensing Department on 8 August.
