Licencing centres to reopen – despite violent protests
“Police should be here as these people are very violent and have come with AK-47s,” says transport minister.
All driving licence testing centres in Gauteng will re-open on Tuesday – despite violent protests by driving school associations demanding that a new launched online booking system be suspended.
This was after a court interdict was served on the Gauteng national driving school association of South Africa and other protest action participants by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the Department of Roads and Transport.
Transport minister Fikile Mbalula said the interdict came after he grew concerned over the safety of staff at the centres.
“Staff have been attacked with weapons such as guns,” said Mbalula, following an inspection of Tshwane centres on Monday.
He was accompanied by RTMC CEO Makhosini Msibi.
Licensing centres along with motor vehicle registration offices have been closed because of the strike action that began on February 24.
The interdict restrains protesters from participating in protest action within 150m from the entrances and premises of licencing centres within Gauteng.
Protestors are also restrained from taking part in or instigating disruptive or riotous behaviour that may result in damage to any property at the centres.
They are also prevented from obstructing or preventing entrance or exit of persons to the centres.
Mbalula said the protests were “very violent” and had infringed on the rights of other South Africans.
He would consult with the Minister of Police for officers to be deployed at centres.
“Police should be here. Some of these people [protesters] are very violent and have been toting AK-47s inside centres.”
He said he would further also consult with the MMC on how to address the backlog at centres.
According to Mbalula, staff were also worried about losing their jobs because of the new online system.
“The CEO has, however, assured us that their employment will not be affected.”
He said the department would ensure smooth operations at centres as they could not afford to lose more time on offering services.
He said concerns regarding the printing machine for driving license printing had been addressed.
ALSO READ: Dogs a ‘game changer’ in fight against rhino poaching
Mbalula again reiterated that the grace period for licence renewals would not be extended beyond the end of March.
“I urge motorists to go to the various centres to renew their licences. We also increased the capacity at centres such as the ones in Waterfall and Centurion.”
Msibi said the driving school association has been up in arms about the online system because “they say we have been taking their clients’ rights away”.
“They also say that the online system discriminates against illiterate people, but any illiterate persons or senior citizens can still walk into any licensing centre without making a booking and they would be helped.
“There are also kiosks at centres that can be used by people without the necessary tools and data to do so from the comfort of their homes.
“This new system takes you less than five minutes to transact for a licence renewal, after creating a profile with names, surnames and identification numbers.”
He dismissed claims that the system was beset with problems, saying that it was functional “24/7”.
“It is faster than before and slots are available for bookings.”
Media Advisory @eNCA @Newzroom405 @CityTshwane @TrafficRTMC @Dotransport pic.twitter.com/YfRDssmTr6
— NATIONAL DRIVING SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRIC (@NDSASA_) March 4, 2022
BREAKING NEWS: The EFF has instructed the Department of Transport to fix its system with immediate effect @Newzroom405 @CapricornFMNews @motswedingfm @JulietJoseph_ @SABCNews @KayaNews pic.twitter.com/w6OH6xdTF2
— NATIONAL DRIVING SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRIC (@NDSASA_) March 2, 2022
We are tired of lies from RTMC. The driving schools are business people not politicians therefore they cannot accept lies https://t.co/dBwXbmbsPa
— NATIONAL DRIVING SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRIC (@NDSASA_) March 2, 2022
We have decided to take the Dept to court https://t.co/C87lec9oik
— NATIONAL DRIVING SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRIC (@NDSASA_) March 1, 2022
WATCH LIVE: Minister @MbalulaFikile conduct an oversight visit to DLTC’s in the Gauteng province. @TrafficRTMC https://t.co/c9tpQXp5EB
— Department of Transport (@Dotransport) March 7, 2022
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
