Some wait up to 10 weeks

THE delays in motorists being issued with their new or renewed driving licences have left many frustrated.

Biprajh Bessesar, 64, of Chatsworth, renewed his driving licence at the Pinetown licensing office in July and was told to return eight to 10 weeks later.

But in September he was informed his application had been rejected and that he needed to reapply, and that his licence would be ready in three weeks.

Bessesar said that, instead of his licence being ready for collection, he was given a letter about a delay and yet again told to return in six to eight weeks.

“This is absolutely ridiculous. It is time consuming and costly,” he said.

Ahmed Khan, who is employed at a tow trucking business, has been waiting to collect his Code 10 licence from the Pinetown licensing office since September.

“I have already paid R250 for the licence and had no choice but to pay a further R90 for a temporary one and for additional photographs, due to the strike,” said Khan.

“This is unacceptable. A day off from work means a loss of salary.”

Chatsworth pensioner, Tommy Booth, 69, has opted to use public transport to travel to the licensing office for fear that he would be stopped by the police and fined for driving with an expired licence.

He renewed his licence in August and was informed to return in 10 weeks.

“I took two taxis to get here (Rossburgh licensing office), only to be told it was not ready and that I should call them next month.”