LC Petrie, George:
I am writing concerning the ever worsening situation that the public are facing, trying to get learner's and driver's licences in George.
The example of our own experience is typical. Our family have already been through this struggle once in the last year with one young person and we are currently trying to assist a young friend of the family who lives with us.
On going in to the Traffic Department in September, he was told he could not get a booking to take his learner's test until next year in August. This would mean that he would have to wait nearly an entire year just to write the test.
Speaking to other individuals and families about this reveals an absolute despair about what they are to do. These young people need to move on and get on with their lives.
Most of these are young people who have finished schooling and are entering the workforce or training for careers.
They represent the future of this country and their path into responsible adulthood should not be ignored, neglected or obstructed by the incompetence and negligence of administrative bodies, who are supposed to be representing and supporting the citizens of South Africa.
So many people are negatively affected by this - all the families concerned, many of whom need their children to be economically independent as soon as possible, or to contribute to their family's finances; also businesses who cannot or will not hire employees if they cannot get to work, outside the very limited network of public transport and so on.
It is a right that South Africans should be able to acquire a licence.
This is an appeal to the relevant official bodies to please take this very seriously at last and take steps to rectify the situation immediately. The public are becoming increasingly angry and frustrated about this negligence and the endless excuses. The resources needed for a learner's licence are minimal: some space and one or two examiners to hand out the papers and mark them after the test.
Director of Community Services Dawie Adonis responds:
George Municipality is aware of the delay in obtaining driver and learner licences. To assist in this matter, we have recently advertised positions in that department, to increase the testing officers. We are hoping this will alleviate the waiting period.
