KwaDukuza municipality defends ‘poor service’ claims at licencing offices

With queues some days stretching 50 metres or longer, frustrations are mounting as motorists queue at local licensing departments to renew licences that expired during lockdown.

Several closing of the offices due to Covid-19 cases amongst staff have also contributed to the backlog.

Social media is often abuzz with claims of poor service, early closing times and a uncooperative behaviour by staff at both Salt Rock and KwaDukuza.

Motorists attempting to renew licenses often complain that they are made to queue for hours, often being forced to return the next day.

But KwaDukuza is stoutly defending its staff, shifting much of the blame for delays onto residents for “failing to keep themselves informed through the publication of municipal notices and updates around licensing services offered currently through local media,” according to municipal spokesperson, Sipho Mkhize.

Many applicants are applying for renewals without having certified copy of their ID, proof of residence or trying to pay with bank cards.

Salt Rock ward councillor, Privi Makhan said that because of the backlog and the belief that the Salt Rock licencing office is normally quiet, motorists from Durban to Richard’s Bay are arriving to use the offices, further adding to the volume and delays experienced.

Queuing last week, Ballito resident Martin van Heerden said before lockdown, service had been phenomenal and that people now needed to bear in mind that staff were dealing with weeks’ worth of catch-up.

“It is easy to say that I am a ratepayer and that I am owed this service. Take the situation in your stride and see it from their perspective. Things will go back to normal eventually, and back to the level of service we were used to before lockdown.”

Longtime resident Martjie Barnard (72) said that on her second attempt she waited 5 hours in the queue to have her licence disc renewed.

She had given up on a previous occasion.

Operating hours: Weekdays 8am to 2pm, First and last Saturdays of month 7am-1pm.

Doors close at 1pm to allow for administrators to reconcile their work for the day, and finish up servicing patrons who were already inside the centre.

To renew your licence disc, you need:

• ID book
• Motor vehicle licence renewal notice (MVL2)
• Licensing fees (usually only in cash)
• Proof of postal and physical address (utilities account only)

When renewing a licence disc for an organisation:

• The organisation’s business certificate
• ID book of the proxy
• Letter of proxy
• Motor vehicle licence renewal notice (MVL2)
• Licensing fees (usually only in cash)
• Proof of postal and physical address (utilities account only)

To apply for your new/renew your driver’s licence, you need:

• Your original identity document (ID) or valid South African passport, as well as a certified copy of same, and your old driving licence card.
• Four black-and-white ID photographs (before you have photographs taken confirm with the DLTC how many photos they require).
• Proof of residential address e.g. utility account. If the utility bill is not in your name, the owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit. If you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your residential address.
• Eye test certificate from optometrist.
• Prescribed application fee.