Mbombela taxi operator failed by licensing department
Lucky Mashaba said he has faced challenges to obtain a PDP for more than six years.
A taxi operator from Likazi, Lucky Mashaba, said he has been facing challenges to obtain a professional driving permit (PDP) for more than six years.
Mashaba said he first applied for the permit at the Nelspruit Licensing Department in 2017, and was issued a temporary licence.
“I paid for everything when I applied, and the process seemed to be in order until I went back after a few weeks to fetch the licence and I was given the runaround. I was told my licence was registered with someone else’s photo. All the details on the licence card were in order, except the photo. I was advised to reapply, which I did, but I never got any answers as to why an incorrect photo was used for my licence,” said the frustrated man.
He said he reapplied, but the licence was never returned. “Since 2017, I have had to pay R170 to issue a temporary permit, which expires after three months. Over the years, I have been issued more than 10 temporary permits so that I can comply with the licensing rules as a taxi operator. Being a taxi operator is the only solution I have to earn a living. I have been failed so many times by the licensing department. This matter has affected me so much, because I am always scared that traffic officers will arrest me for not having my PDP licence.”
Mashaba told Lowvelder Express that in 2011, his ID number was registered to another person located in Pretoria. However, he managed to acquire another ID number. He said he suspects that it could be the same person who was on the photo on his PDP.
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“I found out there was a person who used my ID number when I received a speeding fine in my name on a road I have never driven on. It was puzzling as to how it could be possible, until I went to the Department of Home Affairs. I ended up paying for the fine, because I wanted to keep my reputation as a good driver.”
He said he has engaged with the representatives at the Nelspruit Licensing Department many times, but has received no help, and claims his queries are not being attended to.
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Mpumalanga News approached the spokesperson for the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Moeti Mmusi, about the matter. At the time of going to press, he said the department would escalate the matter for further assistance.
