A funeral… and no licences
The notice of closure, supposedly issued by the head of department, had no municipal logo or signature on it.
RENEWING or getting a driver’s licence are nightmares at the best of times, so one can imagine the anger when applicants arrived at the Port Shepstone testing centre on Tuesday to find the office closed… for a funeral!
Popular examiner Graeme Walton, who had been working there for 23 years, died and the entire staff took the day off to go to his service. There was no prior warning and people were either turned away by two security guards at 9am or saw a notice pinned to the door.
There was no official comment at the time of going to press, but sources within Hibiscus Coast Municipality said that even the powers that be were taken by surprise.
“This is absolute madness. I can’t believe it,” fumed Khanyisile Dlezi, who had come all the way from Izingolweni.
“I just think they are using his death as an excuse to do their own thing. Believe me, most of them will not even attend that funeral,” said Mellisa Rampersad, who now has to apply for another test date.
Why did they close for the whole day? – Dave Smith
The Port Shepstone licensing office is currently the only one servicing the entire Hibiscus Coast and has been the subject of countless complaints to the press.
Some weeks ago, HCM spokesman Simon April said they planned to open other centres after July.
However, in the meantime, many queue from long before sunrise. Once the office reaches its daily ‘quota’ of 150 renewal applications, latecomers are turned away at the door.
Herald manager Bevis Fairbrother can testify that they won’t budge. They flatly refuse to stretch the quota by a single person… even if they are ahead of schedule.
Bevis pleaded: “But it’s only 1.30pm and there are hardly any people in the queue. What time do you close?”
Supervisor: “We finish work at 4pm, but we close the doors at 3pm.”
Bevis: “But it’s only 1.30pm!”
Supervisor: “We have already reached our quota.”
Bevis: “Surely there’s time to squeeze one more in. Make it 151 then you’ve got less work tomorrow.”
Supervisor: “No… if word gets out, we will be here until 5pm or 6pm.”
Bevis returned the next day at 6am. He was number 28 in the queue when the doors opened at 8am.
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