Need to renew your driver’s licence, apply for your learner’s or driver’s test or sort out your licence disc, but too scared to visit the Driver’s Licence and Testing Centre (DLTC)?
The DLTC, situated on Westlake Road in Florida, has long been a facility residents dread visiting because of all the unsavoury incidents that have happened there over the years.
Visitors feel very unsafe and unsure, as they could become victims of crime at any time. There have been reports of intimidation, scamming, robberies and just a general feeling of being harassed during a visit to this facility.
Although residents have been warned on numerous occasions by both the Police and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) not to entertain the people outside of the station offering various services, the warnings seem to fall on deaf ears.
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After the Record was alerted to yet another incident during which a resident was robbed while visiting this station, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, councillor Michael Sun, was asked if there is a solution to this huge problem.
According to Sun, the safety of residents visiting the centre is a top priority. “I have engaged the responsible official at the DLTC to ensure the facility is maintained. We will increase JMPD patrols at this centre so residents who come here to conduct business can do so in a safe environment,” he said.
He added that all staff members at the DLTC have been asked to be alert and watchful. “They will keep an eye out for any suspicious or unauthorised persons in and around the centre and report such to the relevant persons. Residents are also urged to report any suspicious activities in and around the centre to the JMPD,” he said.
The other huge problem at the facility is the so-called vendors conducting business outside the building – from offering to take photos to standing in the queue on your behalf for a nominal fee. Sun confirmed that these vendors are not allowed to trade within the centre’s grounds and JMPD officers will address this issue on their patrols. “These services include touting photo services as well as the selling of goods. Once again, we request that residents don’t encourage and support such businesses,” said Sun.
Although these vendors seem to operate on their own, there are rumours that nothing is being done about them, because JMPD officers as well as DLTC officials are involved. According to Sun, the only business the officials should have is the servicing of customers. “DLTC officials should not have business interests with these vendors at all. We request the public to come forward with information of any such involvement in order for us to address it. We will investigate and conduct disciplinary enquiries against those found to be involved in any such business,” he said.
Residents can report suspicious behaviour as well as fraud to the JMPD anti-corruption hotline on 0800 203 712.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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