Licensing offices more reputable than expected

MBOMBELA – Some residents claim that for years, they have not even considered approaching a local licensing office, being sure of it that licences can only be obtained through bribery.

However, as many residents complained, others shared the positive experiences they have had to legitimately earn their driver’s licences.

After a recent post by a local on social media, it became apparent that the reputation of the licensing departments of White River and Mbombela was not all that great.

It appeared that young learner drivers were all driving to neighbouring towns, as they feared being asked for a bribe and, therefore, not even attempting to use the local facilities.

Lowvelder asked readers whether they had ever been asked for a bribe in order to be passed. Some had a fair and just process, others were not that lucky.

Bad experiences:

• Glory van der Lulek: “I got my licence in Mbombela without a bribe back in 2007, but I remember how I was asked to include R1 500 bribe to my driving- test booking fee ‘for a guaranteed pass’. Instead, I opted to do my own booking and passed on my first attempt.”
• Se Nith: “I got my licence in Cape Town in 2013 after I was failed in White River. An official implied that I had to give him a bribe in White River, which I refused. The officer also failed me because I was a foreign national who happened to own a vehicle. He asked me how dare I own a vehicle, while most South Africans have to commute. The fact that I went to a ‘white-owned’ driving school added to the anger of the official.”
• Steve Schormann: “I got my driver’s licence in Mbombela in the 80s and was failed repeatedly because I would not pay a bribe. It was an individual who I then avoided when next making my following appointment.”
• Jay Khoza: “When I was in training at Midrand last year, I was asked where I am from and I said Mbombela. Everyone started asking me about my driver’s licence. They said they heard that in Mbombela you don’t have to go the legal way.”

Good experiences:

• Sandra Swart: “My daughter did both her learner’s and licence in Mbombela, passing the first time. No bribes. Amazing service and the testing officer and staff involved were well-trained. Due to their way of working, she was calm and the test was stress-free.”
• Alicia Tideswell: “I got mine without any problems in Mbombela last year. When I couldn’t do my licence at the time I was supposed to, due to illness, and they were very helpful to accommodate a new time slot for me, no bribes. They only asked for a sick note from a doctor or clinic. They did not even ask what was wrong, and offered to book a time that was not too far in the future, but would allow me to recover from what was wrong with me at that time. I used a driving school.”
• Charné Kolbé: “I went by myself in January 2016, without a driving school in Mbombela. I passed the first time, and legally got my licence without being asked to pay any bribe. I was, however, bombarded with a million questions and it felt like the guy wanted to break my concentration, but he couldn’t. He even congratulated me afterwards for being so focused.”
• Mareliza Coetser: “I got my learner’s and licence in Mbombela without a driving school, any problems, or bribes.”
• Ben Wish Mlambo: “I got it in Mbombela without a bribe in 2016, because they taught me correctly. I was taught by Pastor Maseko. He was a good teacher with his old truck. Everytime, we used to start our day with prayer.”

• Prudance Lephoto: “I got my leaner’s and licence in 2006 both first time. I used a driving school, no bribes at all. They were very professional.”
• Bekezela Dube Ngwenya: “I failed the first time, no bribe was requested. I tried a second time and passed with no bribe. I got mine in Mbombela in 2016, they were absolutely professional.”
• Stephanie Kapp: “I got my learner’s in Mbombela on the first time. Then I got my licence in White River, on the first time as well. I used a driving school and was not asked for any bribes. This was in 2014.”
• Thuli Phakathi: “I got my learner’s and driver’s licence without a bribe in 2012 at Mbombela.”
• Bernie Dinkelmann: “Both my daughters had a few lessons. Both passed learner’s and driver’s the first time in White River, in 2013 and 2015. No bribes.”
• Frieda Prinsloo: “I did mine in Mbombela without a driving school, and I passed the first time, without any mention of a bribe.”

The professional experience:

Frikkie van Wyk, driving instructor for Action Saver Driving School, and vice-chairman of the Mpumalanga Driving School Assosiation, told the newspaper that bribery is not as common as the public would like to think.

“None of my students were ever asked for a bribe in the eight years I’ve been in the business. I am sure there are some people who are asked for a bribe, but an official will never ask it of someone that goes through a driving school, because if they are caught, they will be fired. Many people also mess up, and would rather say that they were asked for a bribe than admit they failed.”

Van Wyk urged the public to report any official who asks for a bribe, and to provide as much evidence as possible.

“Try to get it on a recording, or tape it. Without evidence, the report cannot be taken seriously, as it is your word against the official’s.”

Spokesman of the city of Mbombela, Joseph Ngala, could not be reached for comment before going to press.