The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Wednesday called on the Department of Transport and Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to “immediately suspend” the new online driver’s licence booking system.
The new online system was introduced last month on 17 February and since then it has been bedeviled by problems.
This week driving school owners disrupted services at Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) because they complained the new online system was not allowing them to book slots on behalf of their clients – something they could do before.
“We strongly condemn the lacklustre attitude of MEC Jacob Mamabolo and Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula in addressing the problem,” said the EFF in Gauteng in a statement.
“The deployment of police to DLTCs instead of resolving the problems is an indication of MEC Mamabolo and Minister Mbalula’s leadership bankruptcy and cowardice.
“Their arrogance has led to the closure of the 38 DLTCs in Gauteng.
“The backlog caused by the system glitches must be put on the shoulders of the MEC and minister.”
The EFF said driving schools and users who can’t access the system are being disadvantaged by this almost non-functional system and run a risk of going out of business should the problem not be resolved.
“These system glitches do not only disadvantage driving school owners, even prospective drivers are subjected to frustrations,” said the EFF.
The party said while the glitches and delays might seem to be a minor challenge for some, the inability to get a licence means a missed job opportunity for those seeking to be employed drivers.
“MEC Mamabolo must recognise the driving schools association as part of the major stakeholders and secure them an urgent technical meeting between RTMC and Gauteng associations,” said the EFF.
The EFF added: “We demand that MEC Mamabolo must expedite the meeting between Members of the National Driving School Association of SA and himself to an earlier date not later than Thursday the 3rd March 2022.
“Finally, the EFF in Gauteng demands that the system be reverted to its functionality as it was prior to the 17th February 2022 till all glitches are resolved.”
