Residents driven to anger
City Communications Manager, Mdu Ncalane says everything possible is being done against a tidal wave of demand that simply cannot be met.
HOT, tired and extremely angry.
That sums up the hundreds of people who over the past weeks have stood for over four hours in the blazing sun to do transactions at the City of uMhlathuze’s licencing department in Richards Bay.
Many who have arrived well before 7am have only completed their dealings well past 11am.
Others have stood for hours without ever reaching the front.
Worse still, many who at long last reached a counter have been turned away because their documents – specifically the proof of residence – have not been in order.
The Zululand Observer has been inundated with complaints, with most people pointing out the dire circumstances of the elderly and disabled.
‘There is no shade, no water and little communication,’ one frustrated resident said on Friday, when temperatures were in the high 30s.
‘Day after day we have driven past and not bothered to stand in the queue, but eventually I had no choice and had to join the rest of the frustrated people.’
Proof of residence hiccups
But while the residents are literally hot under the collar, City Communications Manager, Mdu Ncalane says everything possible is being done against a tidal wave of demand that simply cannot be met.
‘The number of people renewing vehicle silences drastically increase during this time of the year and this put more strain in our offices.
‘With the new residential verification rule, we find ourselves inundated with vehicle owners who are not aware of it and we have to turn them back as proof and verification of address is a must.
‘We are also experiencing vehicle owners who do not want to change their registration numbers even when it’s been proved that they no longer reside in the NRB vicinity.
‘We have added two more help desks and now have seven in total.
‘Moreover, we have also added officials who check customers while they are in the queue to ensure they have all required documentation.
‘We call upon our customers to adhere to this new rule and make sure they produce a valid residential address.
‘We also urge drivers and vehicle owners to renew licenses on time and not to wait for the festive season.’
