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Polokwane Traffic Department a test of patience for residents

Long queues, some forming as early as 05:00, stretch onto the sidewalks, with many customers admitting they take leave from work to complete the process.

POLOKWANE – Renewing a licence at the Polokwane Traffic Department has become a test of patience for many residents.

Long queues, some forming as early as 05:00, stretch onto the sidewalks, with many customers admitting they take leave from work to complete the process.

One resident shared his experience: “I waited in line for four hours, and it didn’t move.

“I had to leave and come back another time. On Saturday, the office was closed, so I tried again on Monday. I arrived at 05:45 and only finished by 10:15. There was only one person inside assisting all the clients.”

Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala acknowledged the challenges and empathised with residents.

He said that a recent spike in demand, compounded by burglaries at the Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality and Mankweng DLTC, has added strain to Polokwane’s facilities.

Selala outlined the department’s daily workload, which includes vehicle licence renewals, driver’s licence renewals, professional driving permits, and learner licence applications.

He said that driver’s licence renewals require eye tests, as mandated by the National Road Traffic Act, which can slow down the process depending on individual cases.

Applicants must either complete an eye test at the department or present a valid certificate from an optometrist.

Selala acknowledged that standing in line without updates is frustrating and promised to review communication protocols to ensure clients are better informed about delays or interruptions.

Despite the challenges, the department remains focused on serving the public.

As Selala noted, “We are committed to serving all clients as efficiently as possible and addressing any issues that may arise.”

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Raeesa Sempe

Raeesa Sempe is a Caxton Award-winning Digital Editor with nine years’ experience in the industry. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand and started her journey as a community journalist for the Polokwane Review in 2015. She then became the online journalist for the Review in 2016 where she excelled in solidifying the Review’s digital footprint through Facebook lives, content creation and marketing campaigns. Raeesa then moved on to become the News Editor of the Bonus Review in 2019 and scooped up the Editorial Employee of the Year award in the same year. She is the current Digital Editor of the Polokwane Review-Observer, a position she takes pride in. Raeesa is married with one child and enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music and baking – when she has the time. “I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon." – Tom Stoppard

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