Fines mount as driver’s licence card delay continues
One South coast motorist has been fined three times.
The extended labour dispute which has seen the issuing of driver’s licence cards disrupted has entered its fifth month, causing massive backlogs in the system.
While many drivers were diligent in re-applying before their licences expired, the delay in issuing licence cards seen them fall foul of the law through no fault of their own.
ALSO READ : Driver’s licence delays continue
The Democratic Alliance yesterday (Wednesday) said it had written to KZN’s Transport MEC, Mxolisi Kaunda to request that all drivers who have proof that they had applied for the renewal of their expired licences be permitted to drive legally, without the possibility of being fined.
At the time of writing, the Department of Transport had not granted any form of amnesty or guarantee against prosecution.
“It is clear that corrective measures need to be taken. Not only are law-abiding citizens being turned into felons, many have also been forced to take days off work and other commitments and stand in long queues,” said DA spokesman, Sayedali Shah.
Raymond Singh is one such South Coast motorist. He says he has been fined three times by Law Enforcement officers.
He applied to renew his driver’s licence in July, well before the expiry date, but the new licence card has yet to arrive.
“I had to apply twice for a temporary licence because I was being fined. This is not fair and it’s through no fault of our own that our licences are not up-to-date.”
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