Break-ins at city vehicle testing station

APPOINTMENTS for learner’s licence tests at the Sol Plaatje Municipality’s vehicle testing station have been rescheduled after a series of break-ins at the facility.

Municipal spokesperson, Sello Matsie, said yesterday that the offices at the testing grounds were broken into on Saturday at around 6pm and one computer was stolen. “Later that evening, the thieves came back and stole another computer.”

According to Matsie, one of the computers was recovered in the veld near the railway line.

On Wednesday, the facility was broken into for a third time and again a computer was stolen.

“We have had to postpone some of the learner’s licence tests because of this as the tests are done on the computer.”

The facility also came under criticism from an elderly member of the public who has been trying for several months to get her driving licence.

Stolen

“My licence was stolen and I went to the traffic department to get a new licence, which expires soon.

“I have, however, still not received my licence.”

According to the resident, numerous phone calls to the centre went unanswered. “Eventually I physically went there to enquire about my licence. I was referred to four different people - the last one was supposedly on her lunch-break, even though it was only 11am.”

She said that she was eventually told that there was a problem with her fingerprints because they had worn away.

“They promised that the person who dealt with this would phone me back but no one ever did.”

According to the member of the public, she has tried phoning the traffic section several times. “Each time someone picks up but then puts the phone down again.”

Matsie yesterday apologised for the incident and stated that the necessary official would contact her.

He added that incidents where fingerprints could not be read by the computer did result in some delays.