Angry and frustrated residents stood outside the closed gates of the Krugersdorp Licensing Department on Wednesday morning February 16 demanding answers as to why they were refused entry.
The News noted that the complete lack of communication between the department, the municipality and the people waiting outside was contributing to the already tense situation.
When the News received a statement from the Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) at 11:00 to explain that the department was closed because of a water outage, people were still standing in queues outside without knowing what was going on. Most of them are elderly as Wednesdays are pensioners day and also the only day they could do their business at the department. Some came as far as from Pretoria.
One of the people queuing outside, Francis Cloete explained they were told that there was no water at the facility and that was the reason they were not allowed inside. Later they were told that the system was down and they should go home. The News found water tankers waiting outside the licensing department premises to be allowed in, but then the drivers were told that water had been restored and that the tankers weren’t needed anymore.
Francis said the water-outage excuse had been used often enough before, but what really frustrated the people in the queue was that some people were being allowed inside, and those who had appointments to write their learner licence tests were allowed in to do so.
Another man said if he did not get his licence sorted out today, he would lose his job. He is a truck driver and needed to drive across the border tomorrow.
The MCLM said in the statement, “Mogale City’s Water Services Division is aware that parts of Krugersdorp North, the Central Business District, Dan Pienaarville, Munsieville and Krugersdorp West are experiencing low water pressure or have no water supply at all.”
This is due to major repair work on a 450mm bulk water pipeline that feeds the Dan Pienaarville and Munsieville Reservoirs, which necessitated an emergency water shutdown on February 15 from 16:00 to 04:00 on February 16.
“Repair work on the pipeline started last night and was completed at 04:00. The team started pumping water into both reservoirs in the early hours of this morning and it will take some time before water supply reaches the correct levels for optimal water pressure to be restored.
“As a result the Licensing Service Centre had to suspend its services due to the unavailability of water.
However, people with pre-booked appointments for learners and driving licence practical tests will continue to be serviced today. Mogale City pleads with residents that still have water supply to please use water sparingly as we strive under a lot of pressure to get reservoirs up to required levels.
“Water supply is expected to be restored around 13:00 today. Residents are encouraged to speak to their ward councillors about the location of roving water tankers in their respective areas.”
The News contacted MCLM again and asked for clarity on a few issues, such as why the department could not function without water, especially if water tankers were available; how would they accommodate the pensioners who could only go there on Wednesdays and had been queuing since early in the morning; why were those sent away who only wanted to fetch a licence card or a PDP; and would people be referred to other licensing centres to be assisted with urgent matters.
The News is awaiting a response from the manager of the Licensing Centre.
This is not the first time this has been an issue and residents have been complaining about problems at this licensing department for many years.
