MBOMBELA – Motorists and car dealerships are at their wits’ end as they have been unable to obtain or renew vehicle licences since last week.
Lowvelder is being inundated with calls and messages from readers complaining that they cannot renew theirs. They are going to the licensing department in Suikerriet Street, only to the find doors locked with a notice saying the “e-Natis system is offline”.
The truth is that licences cannot be issued because the licensing department has run out of the paper needed to print them on.
“We are hearing all sorts of stories as to why the paper has not been delivered. At first we were told that the company supplying it has gone bankrupt, but other sources state that the municipality owes them millions of rand for services rendered,” said a source from a local car dealership. All of the sources at the various dealerships Lowvelder spoke to, preferred to stay anonymous out of fear of possible victimisation.
“This has major implications for us who work in the motor industry. Dealers cannot put vehicles on floor plans and you have to title a purchased car in the name of the buyer to get paid by the bank. This has huge effects on our cash flow and we fear that some customers might even back out of deals as we cannot deliver their vehicles,” one of them said.
“We don’t need more problems. Sale figures are down nationally because of the tough economy and dealerships in the region are down by 30 per cent,” another source warned. “We currently have 15 vehicles that we cannot get licensed,” added the dealer principal of one of the leading dealerships in the city. “We explained the situation to the various banks and have standing arrangements with them to pay for vehicles in the interim, but smaller dealerships may very well encounter problems with financial institutions,” he warned.
Lowvelder approached Mbombela Local Municipality (MLM) spokesman, Mr Joseph Ngala, for comment. He referred to the shortage of the paper as an “administrative challenge” and said “concerted efforts are currently underway to have the service restored expeditiously”.
Ngala continued, “The municipality remains committed in ensuring that the objects of MLM realise as set out under chapter seven of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. We are also aware of the implications of the shortage of this paper to motorists. However, there is no need for panic as it will be delivered during the next 24 hours.”
He said all other services are continuing at the centres. This is not true. Motorists could not even make appointments for driver’s licences. Lowvelder went to the licensing department yesterday at 11:00 and it was still closed. People could be seen inside, walking around, some of them taking photos.
During this time at least four driving-school owners arrived to see if they could find out when the offices would reopen. “Two of my students have appointments for tomorrow (Friday) to be tested for their driver’s licences. Now what?” one of them wanted to know.
Ngala was asked if the municipality is in arrears with the service provider, but he would not confirm or deny it, saying, “Matters between the client and service provider can only be discussed at that level and only shared with third parties after consent by both parties”.
Ms Lara Coertzen’s licence has already expired. She said an official at the licensing office advised her to go to the office in Hazyview or not to drive her car. “What happens if you get stopped in a roadblock now, and your licence is out of date? Or worse yet – get in an accident? They should stay open and give you a letter to say you were there and mail you the disc once the paper gets there,” Mr Hardus Meintjies, added.
Lowvelder phoned eNatis’ local office, but the phone remained unanswered.
