Documents available now for licence and registration

The Govan Mbeki Municipal spokesman apologised for the late opening of the licence and registration offices on Monday, 4 April.

This was after residents visited the municipality to register and renew their vehicle licenses.

Residents who waited for a two full weeks to register and renew their vehicles, were welcomed by closed offices.

They forced their way into the reception area and demanded answers from the municipal manager.

They were finally addressed by the deputy director of Traffic and Security Services, Adv Themba Ginindza, who assured them that the offices would open in 15 minutes.

When asked what will happen to the fines that road users received for unregistered motor vehicles, he said he was not in apposition to respond to any of the questions but only to ensure that the offices are opened.

The offices only opened at 10.15am and during his apology, Mr Bheki Kubheka, said: “ It would have been useless for us to open while we were in no position to assist the public due to the phase value documents having not been available at that time, however we are making strides and the documents are available for now while we are still engaging with the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison on a long term solution.

“We sincerely apologise for all the inconvenience that the commuters had to endure during this period.”

One woman said she could not afford not to register her car, because she was driving around with an affidavit that states that the licence and registration offices are closed.

“I am always praying that I should not be involved in an accident, because the insurance company will not pay out.”

People who were queuing said they returned home without new licences because they were told that there were no paper to print these on.