Journalist asked to pay R750 for a licence

Randburg Testing Station and Randburg Civic Centre’s manager, Charles van der Heever has warned the public not to pay the ‘porters’ who promise the public quick service in exchange for a fee, outside their station.

Randburg Sun journalist went to Randburg Civic Centre and testing Station on 8 January and was approached by a ‘porter’ who claimed he could get her to the front of the queue easily, because he has a contact on the inside.

The journalist was asked by the porter to pay R750 to get her licence renewed.

When she had said “No” he replied by saying, “Okay, it’s fine, how much you got?”

The journalist replied, “Not much,”and he angrily replied “Okay, just go then, you must come stand in the long queue again tomorrow, Ma.”

Van der Heever said,”this kind of stuff happens on a daily basis. It is a daily problem that occurs nationwide, where members of the public are confronted outside the centre and asked to pay a fee of between R300 to R700 to book their learner’s, driver’s licence or to renew your licence. I can assure you these are all fake!”

A magistrate, who witnessed this event at the centre, and who wishes to remain anonymous, confirmed that she had also been approached by a ‘porter’.

“He said he will get me the licence if I paid him R850 and I would not even have to do the eye test. I saw a guy paying for it, he was then waiting for the guy to come back with the forms,” explained the magistrate.

Van der Heever urges the public not to pay for the fake licences and only pay money to cashiers behind the glass.

“We will be able to see immediately that it is a fake document when you come to fetch your licence card. The person with the fake document will be arrested and will have to appear in court,” added Van der Heever.

Details: Randburg Testing Station 0117933793 or Randburg Civic Centre 011 919 5734.