TotT readers sing praises of traffic officials in Ndlambe despite criticism

TotT’s latest Facebook question was: TotT has been receiving complaints about Ndlambe traffic department and treatment by local traffic cops. What is your view on service delivery by the department and on local traffic officers?

Despite the complaints about Ndlambe traffic officials and long delays in getting licences, the majority of people responding on Facebook heaped praise on local traffic cops and service delivery in the traffic department.

Gordon Hendricks said: “I have always found the Ndlambe traffic officers to be professional, helpful and very friendly.”

Juanita McLean also said in the times she had been pulled over for the usual run-of-themill checks, traffic cops had been pleasant.

Linda Reynolds also has had positive experience with traffic cops. “I’ve been checked twice and they have been very pleasant,” she said.

As for visits to the licensing office, Monwabisi Chippa Njajula said: “I've been to their offices many times and never had any problems whatsoever.”

Anne Kruger also shared positive experiences, saying she had always found the office staff and traffic officers very pleasant, helpful and professional.

Allister Gradwell also sang praises for the traffic cops, saying he was stopped at a traffic roadblock out of town and all the officers, who were from Port Alfred, were polite, courteous and professional in the way they conducted themselves.

Several respondents mentioned a certain traffic officer who randomly stopped motorists opposite the fire station, but only one person,

Albano Dos Santos, said he had had a problem with the officer. “He was very rude to us,” Dos Santos said.

Questioning other departments’ effectiveness,

Brando Fillis asked: “Why are they the only ones really working for their money while other departments only clock in to be at work?”

Nozulu Maka Oyintanda said she had been to the traffic department several times and they had been very helpful.

However, Tony Brown shared a different experience, saying after staying for 2½ in an outside queue, on entering the building he was told that the driver’s licence “programme” was down and it was therefore best for him to go to Alexandria as they were operational.

He further highlighted the situation he found at Alexandria. “It appears Ndlambe only have one counter open when up to 15 people at a time are scorching in the sun outside. This is totally disgusting and needs sorting out as soon as possible,” he said.

Almarie van der Merwe said: “I had excellent service.”

Clare Wood vented her unhappiness.

“I have been verbally abused and endangered twice with my kids in the car on the way to school — did nothing wrong both times — by a particular traffic officer,” she said.

She said on another occasion, she had been driving down Main Street with her dog on her lap when she was stopped and the traffic officer instructed her to put the dog out of the car as it was an offence to have a dog on her lap.

“Not impressed with traffic officials of Port Alfred,” she said.

Wood’s claims triggered a few questions directed to her. Jackie Nel asked: “So you ’ re irritated when you were in the wrong?”

Denise Nelson also weighed in on Wood’s experience.

“It is not illegal to drive with a dog on your lap. It is illegal to have a dog anywhere if it interferes with your ability to indicate, brake, etc. If dog on your lap is not hampering any of these, then surely it is not illegal,” she said.

Acknowledging traffic cops’ efforts, Nicolette Dell said: “I think our guys are courteous and kind. I just ask that they disallow unmasked people into town.”

Dell’s appeal did not go unnoticed, with Gavin Came saying: “Surely that’s not their job.”

Heather Timm-Osner asked: “Do you really mask up in your car? I only do before I get out or speak to the traffic officers.”

I have always found the Ndlambe traffic officers to be professional, helpful and very friendly