By KEDIBONE MOALETSI
North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport, Sello Lehari said various licensing centres across the province will soon be opened for the public. Lehari said the services were like all others in the country and had been put on hold towards the end of March as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.
“As the department, we hereby notify that the licensing centres will soon be opened for the public after the announcement of the alert lockdown level 3 by the State President, Cyril Ramaphosa. The Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula instructed that licensing centres be opened and service public from 1 June 2020.
“To comply with government guidance, all departments should resume with gradual resumption of operations. Staff at all licensing centres began to work on 1 June 2020. They first began with backlogs that were created by the lockdown restrictions and further prioritizing emergency services,” he said.
Lehari added they will continue to adhere to the lockdown regulations such as social distancing, wearing masks, and screening of people as they enter the premises as well as sanitising and disinfecting. He said all these measures are to ensure that the public is safe when visiting these centres.
“We appeal to the public to be patient as the department is working around the clock to ensure the public is served whilst complying completely with lockdown regulations. We do understand the anxiety of our people to renew driving and motor vehicle licenses, however, it is also important that we put their safety first,” said Lehari.
He also warned that non-compliance could be disastrous and people need to realize that the department is circumspect as a slight contravention of these regulations could lead to closure.
Mbalula has since announced that driving licenses, learners licenses and motor vehicle licenses expired between 26 March and 31 May 2020, will be given a further grace period of 90 days.
The Guardian 