Tzaneen: Licensing department will not open soon

Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) says that reopening the licensing department will be a lengthy process but one that will prioritise the safety of the public and staff alike.

A concerned resident in Tzaneen contacted Herald last week regarding operations at GTM’s licensing department.

Cobus Vosloo said the delay in reopening the traffic department may later cause chaos for the public during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“According to the information at my disposal, the municipalities were allowed to operate the licensing department from 4 May, but no one at the Tzaneen municipal offices apparently has information on when the department will open.

ALSO READ: Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) closes shop during lockdown

“With the announcement of the level 4 regulations, vehicles whose licenses have expired since 24 March, were given the opportunity to renew their licenses within 30 days after 4 May. It will cause absolute chaos if the municipality waits until the last minute to man the licensing department,” he said.

GTM spokesperson, Neville Ndlala, said the delay is caused by the measures that need to be put in place to ensure adherence to the disaster management regulations.

“A ‘return to work plan’ has been established and is being implemented. We are still awaiting advice on a solution that will best benefit the public and the staff at the municipality while adhering to regulations to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.”

He further stated that the limited services offered by the municipality and the reopening of the licensing department will be a very lengthy process.

ALSO READ: No permits for essential travel

“The measures that are already in place for anyone visiting the municipality, will have to be made more thorough as it deals with exchanges. Residents’ temperature is taken before entering a municipal building, forms must be completed, sanitisation must take place and social distancing must be applied,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Chantelle Luther of Cut The Queue, a vehicle licencing service to the public and businesses, says she will be able to resume her services fully once the department reopens.

“Our goal is to provide convenient and time saving service to our clients, by eliminating standing in queues. With the pandemic and disaster management regulations, we try to limit contact as far as possible. Once we are done with renewals, we identify a drop-off where the client can collect their documentation.”

For more on Cut The Queue, send an email to CutTheQ@gmail.com, or call her on 082 445 7582.