No reopening date yet for Emalahleni licensing office after safety shutdown
There is still no feedback from the relevant departments on the way forward at the Emalahleni main licensing office.
Department of Employment and Labour provincial chief inspector Boikie Mampuru said the department is planning a follow-up inspection at the main licensing office in 60 days.
“The employer has 60 days to implement corrective action and to appeal the prohibition notice,” said Mampuru.
READ MORE Licensing office closed indefinitely
While the disruption is not good news for motorists, the action was deemed necessary given the conditions employees were forced to work under.
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Unsafe building conditions
A visit to the office shortly after its closure due to a pipe burst revealed a ceiling near collapse, files shoved into corners due to a lack of filing cabinets, peeling kitchen paint and out-of-order toilets.
The department closed the building on July 23.
“The inspection findings confirm that the employer failed to provide a health and safety environment by failing to maintain building structures. The building was prohibited for occupation due to unsafe electrical installations, biological hazards caused by water leaks in the building and ceiling boards that may collapse at any given time,” said Mampuru.
No way forward yet
The Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, which oversees the licensing hubs, has yet to provide a solution for where motorists can collect their driver’s licences.
There is still no feedback from the relevant departments on the way forward at the Emalahleni main licensing office. #Emalahleni #PublicServiceSA #CommunitySafety #WorkplaceSafety #InfrastructureFailure #GovernmentAccountability #Mpumalanga #witbanknews #witbanklincensingoffice pic.twitter.com/EIRoRSuCdu
— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) August 3, 2026
Department spokesperson Moeti Mmusi said they are looking into the possibility of moving some computers to the satellite office to assist the public.
The satellite office is situated at the Emalahleni Fire Department.
Municipal spokesperson Lebo Mofokeng indicated that the building belongs to the Emalahleni Local Municipality and falls under the Technical Department.
Mofokeng has yet to respond to the matter.
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