‘Preference’ at Traffic Station: Muni advises on complaints

The Polokwane Municipality has urged residents who say they have evidence of officials at the Traffic and Licensing Station soliciting or accepting bribes, to report these transgressions to the relevant law enforcement agencies.

This comes after a reader contacted Polokwane Observer, claiming that she has on two occasions witnessed how residents hand over money to officials in exchange for documents being processed quicker than for those customers who wait in the queue.

“It is frustrating to stand in a queue from dawn, and have to leave late in the afternoon without having been assisted. While you are standing in the queue, some officials will be taking money and helping those they choose to help.”

She says she has no evidence of these claims, but anyone who was in the queue will have noticed it.

Municipal Spokesperson, Thipa Selala, acknowledged the queues, saying the centre currently only operates on skeleton staff and thus only assist a certain number of customers every day.

“At the pay points, we are receiving 20 people at a time, as per social distancing markings on the floor.

“At the testing section, we take in seven people at a time until they are all assisted until close of business. Those who are turned away are given forms to fill in at home and submit the next day.”

According to Selala, they have not yet received any complaints, but he assured customers that they can contact the departmental manager with queries.

Residents queue outside the Polokwane Traffic Department building from as early as 06:00 in the morning to try and beat the queue, those who do not receive assistance on a particular day will have to come back the following day.