Community members who use the Mbombela Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) are raising concerns about the deteriorating situation at the facility.

While the spokesperson for the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL), Moeti Mmusi, said they are aware of the issues and are addressing them, residents tell a different story.

The outcry follows reports from several residents. Louise Schoeman said her husband had been visiting the centre daily for weeks to collect his licence, only to return home empty-handed each time.

They are not alone; many complainants describe the centre as disorganised, with stagnant queues and unmarked counters misdirecting the public.

“He has been going without being helped for the past four weeks. They are either offline, tell him he is too late even at half-past eleven, or say the licences have not arrived, despite a man outside claiming they had,” Schoeman said. She added that the latest excuse involved a collapsed ceiling.

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“He’s driving in from the farm; it’s not just around the corner. He has had to pay for multiple temporary licences and photos every time. Is there someone who can help? Maybe they need a wake-up call.”

Another resident, Difference Mthombothi, said he visited the centre for five consecutive days to collect his licence but was turned away each time because the responsible official was unavailable or the system was offline.

“On Monday, March 2, I was told they would not assist me because of a ceiling problem and a contractor on-site. To my surprise, other people awaiting renewals or testing were being helped. I think the DCSSL needs to intervene; this is not acceptable,” Mthombothi said.

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Mmusi confirmed that a contractor was on-site for maintenance but said he was unaware that people had been turned away. Regarding the frequent system outages, he said the infrastructure is beyond provincial control.

“We apologise to those who were inconvenienced by the repairs, but we were not told people were being sent home for weeks. The system is controlled nationally, so when it is down, we must wait for it to be fixed. To my knowledge, we have enough staff and equipment, but we will investigate why people are not being helped promptly,” he said.

Mmusi also said issues at the Barberton facility would be addressed soon, but added that the infrastructure there is also in poor condition.

According to him, the department is negotiating with the City of Mbombela to refurbish the sites and encouraged motorists to use the DLTCs closest to their homes.