Public voices its mixed feelings about licensing departments
Lowvelder reported last week that many locals had been made to wait months for licence renewals, some even saying it had been almost two years.
While several Lowveld residents have complained about slow service and an extended waiting period for licences at various licensing departments across the province, others have complimented them on their services and friendly staff.
The spokesperson for the provincial Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Moeti Mmusi, had previously acknowledged the public’s frustrations regarding limited staff and offices being closed, saying this was due to the pandemic as well as upgrades to some of the systems, such as the eye tests. He also encouraged residents to call the licensing departments to check if their licences had arrived.
Meanwhile, complaints about the departments continue to trickle in. Others, however, had nothing but good things to say about several of the offices, encouraging their fellow community members to remain patient when it came to the long queues and too few staff members assisting.
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“My compliments goes to the Nelspruit Traffic Department. I went there two weeks ago to renew my driver’s licence. I didn’t know anyone, but I was assisted without a hassle,” said a local, Charlotte Chiloane.
“I must say the queues were long, but I eventually got my turn. Personally, I think there is limited human resources to cater for everyone, as it is not only Nelspruit residents who are in need of their services.
“During the pandemic it is even more challenging having to service everyone and still adhere to the Covid-19 protocols. Yes, we get screened, but the queues are long and frustrating. All in all the staff are really doing their best to serve everyone,” she said.
Another resident, however, took to social media to say she has been waiting for her new licence since she had applied in April.
Linda Leibach posted on Lowvelder’s Facebook page that she had applied in Sabie. “I have been told they don’t receive cards from Nelspruit anymore, and they basically just shrug their shoulders. I am without a licence – applied in April! Even the temporary licences have expired. Nowhere to go for assistance.”
Another Lowveld resident, Gean Fraser, posted that she is 76 and had stood in queues at the White River Licensing Department all day to try to apply for a licence. She said she had been waiting nearly two years now.
Mmusi had not responded to new media queries at the time of going to press yesterday.
