THE Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to KZN’s Transport MEC, Mxolisi Kaunda to request that all drivers who have proof that they have reapplied for the renewal of their expired drivers’ licences be permitted to drive without any further hindrance.
The move comes as an extended labour dispute within the licence printing industry enters its fifth month, causing massive backlogs within the system.
While most people re-applied before the expiry date of their licences, the delay in issuing licence cards has rendered what were valid drivers’ licences invalid. Currently, the Department of Transport in KZN has not granted any form of guarantee against prosecution.
It is on this basis that the DA has strongly recommended that the MEC issue a directive to all KZN law enforcement authorities to advise that any person who can provide proof that they have applied for a renewal, be permitted to drive without any further hindrance.
The current situation is untenable and some of the questions that the DA has also put to the MEC include:
Why did government not seek a speedy resolution to the problem when it first arose in July?
How did our province arrive at a situation where disgruntled workers hold the Department of Transport to ransom and
what corrective measures are being considered to avoid a similar predicament in future?
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 outside motor licensing centres.
The MEC must act before the festive season is in full-swing with its upsurge in traffic. There simply cannot be a situation where drivers, whether they are visitors to the province or not, are treated like common criminals through no fault of their own.
Rafeek Shah, MPL
