Local news

Strike delays issuing of licences

South Coasters have not been able to renew their driver's licence cards, motor vehicle licence disks, professional driving permits, and learner driver tests have been halted.

A driving licence is the official document which authorises the holder to drive a vehicle on a public road.

The licences are issued by authorised driving licence testing centres, which are run by the municipalities under the supervision of the provincial and national Departments of Transport.

However, for the past two months, the licencing departments on the South Coast have been closed due to the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) workers’ strike, which remains unresolved.

South Coasters have not been able to renew their driver’s licence cards, motor vehicle licence disks, professional driving permits, and learner driver tests have been halted.

Many motorists are concerned that they are driving with expired licences. Also, it’s a long wait for students to book learners’ and drivers’ tests.

“I speak for many on the South Coast as this is not justice. Why must we bear the brunt of this strike? Our lives are placed on hold. We have to bear further expenses to get our tests done at other licencing departments out of town. I booked my driver’s test in December and was unable to get it done, ” said a student.

Another motorist asked how does he explain to traffic officials from out of town that the municipality is at fault.

“My licence card expired in December. I now need a temporary licence and have to go to Umzinto, Harding or Winklespruit. This is an additional cost for motorists,” he said.

Raj Naganna from Pam’s Driving School said the ongoing labour unrest has seriously impacted service delivery to the residents of the South Coast.

“There are now backlogs with drivers’ and learners’ tests. Some can afford to travel to Harding, Umzinto or Winklespruit, others have to wait until the strike is over,” he said.

The spokesperson for RNM, Simon April, said the only advice that he could offer is for people to go to the nearby municipalities.

“I am unable to comment when the office will be operational again.”

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