GEORGE NEWS - The effect of Covid-19 on staff numbers and logistics are among various factors causing the number of vehicle licences that require renewal to pile up at the George vehicle licensing centre, creating a "perpetual backlog".
This is according to the George Municipality that issued a statement in response to frustration among the public about the hours-long waiting in queues outside the gate at the centre.
In the statement, the municipality appealed to help relieve the pressure by applying for renewals online.
However, registration of vehicles cannot be done online, and a waiting game is then unavoidable, as Wilderness resident Chris Leggatt found when he accompanied his son to register his first vehicle.
"I tried on various occasions to do this in the last few months of 2020 only to be turned away at the gate as they could only handle 100 people per day. It seems ludicrous. I do not buy the fact that it is due to Covid protocols that the system is slow. Businesses surely should have systems in place to maintain normal levels of operation where possible," complained Leggatt.
The municipality in response explained that staff numbers have from time to time been impacted by Covid-19 when staff or the people who live with staff had contracted the virus. In such instances, buildings have to be closed temporarily and staff reduced while Covid testing and decontamination are done.
The municipality is hoping that it can in future have larger facilities for vehicle licensing as space limits the amount of people allowed inside at any given time, including the number of staff. It is "investigating options within the resources available to it".
Legislation governs processes
The municipality said processing time is also impacted by the legislation governing vehicle registration processes. These processes take a certain amount of time and include working on a national online system for which staff must be trained and certain security clearances apply.
This means that neither temporary nor staff reappropriated from other sections can readily assist during a crisis. The national online system sometimes fails due to circumstances outside our control, which means the temporary delay of processing of such services.
To try to alleviate the pressure, the municipality has created an online system by which vehicle licences can be renewed.
More information about applications:
• Bulk applications (five or more) are being submitted during normal hours but are being processed after-hours.
• When applying for the renewal of licences online, licence collection is usually a week to two weeks from the time you have made payment into the George Municipality account.
• You can help the municipality by applying for the renewal of licences on time - your disk is valid for 21 days after expiry. Please check the date printed on the disk.
• While vehicle licence renewals can be done online, the registration of vehicles cannot be done online as Rica requirements stipulate that the owner of the vehicle must physically appear in front of the official – this is, among other things, a measure against fraudulent registration of vehicles.
ONLINE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT OF VEHICLE LICENCE RENEWALS
The customer starts by registering a profile online or download the RTMC mobile application for Android from Google PlayStore.
Choose between registering as an individual or business.
The following information will be required:
1. Individual: initial, name, surname, ID number, driving licence number, contact details via mobile phone or email.
2. Organisation: name of business, ID number of proxy, driving licence number of proxy, contact details via mobile phone or email.
3. A one-time pin will be sent to your email or mobile phone number, which you must enter online.
4. Go to the ‘View motor vehicle renewals’ section and verify the information.
5. Access and/or download your electronic motor vehicle licence RENEWAL NOTICE (also known as a MVL2 notice).
6. The amount for the renewal of your vehicle will be on the notice.
7. Pay this amount into the George Municipality FNB bank account (details below) and use the relevant vehicle licence number as a reference, eg. CAW #### / Private number ##### WP
8. FNB account number: George Municipality, Public Sector Cheque Account 6286 9623 150 (branch code 210 554). E-mail the proof of payment to msbrits@george.gov.za or rharmse@george.gov.za AND mjulyan@george.gov.za
9. Keep a copy of your proof of payment in the relevant car until you receive your licence disk but keep your expired disk on your window in the meantime.
10. Once payment reflects on the municipality’s bank statement, the vehicle licence will be processed, and you will be contacted to arrange collection. Please do not collect unless pre-arranged and notified via SMS.
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