Pensioners queue in a long queue outside of the Randburg Licensing Department on 11 November. Photo: Reuven Blignault
Long queues and long waits have continued for pensioners waiting to renew their driver’s licences at the Randburg Licensing Department.
The Randburg Sun first reported on the queues as long as the eye can see on 26 October. The queues start in the early hours of each Wednesday, filled with frail elderly persons using walking sticks and frames, and no place to sit in the scorching hot sun.
Pensioners queue in a long queue outside of the Randburg Licensing Department on 11 November. Photo: Reuven Blignault
Many pensioners have complained that they are unaware of the special day set aside for pensioners, and when they arrive on any other day, the vast majority are turned away.
The Randburg Sun has contacted the City, the Road Traffic Management Corporation, and the Department of Transport and is still awaiting a response.
We spoke to some elderly persons who queued on 11 November at 9.30am who wished to share their experience:
LOUISE BARKHUIZEN: This is my third time here attempting to get my driver’s licence. The first time I was here the line got cut off and I was told to come back the following week. The week after, when I eventually got in, I was asked if I had an optometrist report and ID photos, which I was unaware that I needed, and I was sent home again. There is almost no instruction of how this process is meant to work, and as pensioners, we have been left in the dark. Photo: Reuven BlignaultANNA MULARCZYK: I have tried two times to get my licence, with the first being elsewhere. I came the first time here around two weeks ago, but when I got here in the morning, I was told it was already too late. This is my third try, but it already seems hopeless. Photo: Reuven BlignaultDEVAN NAICKER: This is my second time here, and the second time I have been turned away. I came back today really early and queued, but at 8.20am, the security guard told us that the point where I was in the queue is where the cut-off point would be again and was told to come back next Wednesday. I am still going to wait and see if there is any chance I can get in because this is ridiculous. There are so many elderly people that cannot even sit, let alone stand, for so long. Photo: Reuven BlignaGARY HEUER: I have been queuing now for two hours, but the movement of the queue today has been better than I expected. Hopefully, I can at least get inside the building before 10am today. Photo: Reuven BlignaultIAN JOHNSTONE: I have been waiting since 6.30am and I feel that it has actually moved pretty quickly today, and at least the queue has moved a bit. So I am remaining positive. Photo: Reuven BlignaultMEIR MARGALIT: Especially for the pensioners, there should be greater provisions made, maybe an extra day or longer hours to help us. Why can’t we also book online? We have been told as pensioners that we have to be here on the day with no booking, but because of this, half the people get turned away when the queue is cut off. Photo: Reuven BlignaultGLENN REABOW: We just have to wait, there is nothing else you can do. The previous two times I came, I just gave up and went home. Even if you get here at 6am you sit and wait, only to be told to come back another time. At least I can see the door today, so that is positive. Photo: Reuven Blignault
