SEBOKENG. – The Beverly Hills, Evaton, Driving Licence Testing Centre’s (DLTC) door remain closed years after it was supposed to be serving the public.

The DLTC was built almost a decade ago and has never opened doors, remaining a pain to the local community.

The building is now decaying and security personnel onsite said that during rainy days water penetrates the roof entering inside the building. The building is the responsibility of the Gauteng Department of Transport; however, The Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM) play oversight role on all DLTC’s in Sedibeng.

“Why do they have to build these buildings and then neglect them. That place has long been standing idle, why does it not operate. When we want to do something, traffic related (fines, licenses, PDP’s etc) we have to travel to town while we have a building here that if operational could easily save us taxi fare or petrol money, said residents that spoke to Sedibeng Ster.

Upon Sedibeng Ster’s visit to the site, it was noticed that the premises has big grass covering the entire premises and the parking bay shelter roof is being stolen.

Kantoro Ramakau, a property owner, whose house is in front of the DLTC building said that the building has been there for over a decade.

“This building has been here from around 2012, we are wondering what is happening with it. Our house’s value has gone down; we cannot have visitors and sit freely outside because of rats and snakes that come from that site. Please find out what is happening with the place, either it operates or they destroy it,” Ramakau said.

SDM Transport and Infrastructure MMC, Nkosinathi Ndwandwe, said that the site and building falls under the Emfuleni Local Municipality’s (ELM) Public Works’ department.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster ELM MMC for Public Works, Ndade Mokoena said that a proper survey was initially not done on the site of the building as there in a huge sewer pipe that runs under the building.

“I have spoken to the MMC of Infrastructure about the building and we have agreed that they will have to have a look at the building as I can not accept it as it is. Remember that it has to be handed over to me, so, I cannot receive its under its current state,” Mokoena said.

On the other hand, Ward 42 Councillor, Ayanda Ngubane said, “I have submitted written questions to Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM) since they play oversight on all DLTC’s in Sedibeng.”