Driving school operators in Gauteng have closed several licensing stations in the province as they protest over changes in the online booking system.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is planning to go to court to stop the protest, which has impacted on a number of people who can’t renew or collect their licences.
On Thursday last week the National Driving School Association of SA embarked on a protest after the RTMC introduced new features on the online booking system which require the profile of an applicant to be created.
In the new system introduced on February 17, a person must create a profile by providing an email address, cellphone number and other personal details before they renew their driver’s licence or motor vehicle disc. It also requires one to receive a one-time password (OTP). A profile is also required when one wants to get a slot on the Natis system to renew drivers’ licences.
This new process has meant that new drivers and motorists who use driving schools to secure slots quicker for a fee will no longer be able to do so as the system is a lot stricter.
RTMC CEO, Makhosini Msibi, said the driving schools were protesting as they are losing money with the new features introduced on Natis.
“These guys used to book for people…They used to make money for booking for people. It is very unfortunate because we had a meeting with the driving schools in October and we informed them that the system will be upgraded,” Msibi said.
“We will be applying for an interdict because their conduct is unlawful. They are encroaching on the freedom of individuals. Every South African has a right to a decent service. They are denying South Africans their rights to receive that service from the government.”
Msibi said the system was upgraded so that people can book from the comfort of their homes.
Those who do not have access to the internet can go to a DLTC kiosk for assistance and do not necessarily have to use the driving school to get a slot, he said.
President of the National Driving Schools Association of SA (NDSASA) Abel Mositsa said the strike by its members would continue for the rest of this week until the government comes with a solution.
“RTMC keeps on changing the system. Now they have changed it in a way that driving schools cannot make bookings on the system. Actually, they want to kick out the driving schools in this industry,” Mositsa said.
“Those who have those opportunities can approach the driving school for assistance and we help them.”
On Monday, some motorists who were not aware of the protests were frustrated at Langlaagte testing station in Johannesburg.
“I have been in Mafikeng for some time. I came today to collect because I’m back in Gauteng. I drive a family car and had to leave it at home because I cannot drive without a valid licence. I have a temporary licence but it has also expired. I desperately need to get my licence,” said Kgomotso Sekano.
Stations in Mabopane and Temba have also shut down.
When Sowetan visited the driving schools on Monday, instructors were burning tyres and blockading entrances.
Residents were forced to return to their homes without confirming their bookings and writing their learners and drivers licence tests.
According to the owner of Karmas Driving school, Michael Masuku, since the introduction of the updated online system business has been really slow.
“We are really suffering,” he said, urging the road traffic department to reconsider.
He said they understood the online system which was introduced during the beginning of lockdown was due to compliance with lockdown regulations and that they did not have a problem with it although their business continued to suffer,
“If the department cannot fix the problem with the system we have encountered recently, they better scrap it immediately because it is not working for us,” said Masuku.
Mantwa Nkwe, 19, from Sekampaneng in Hammanskraal, had to go to the station to write his learner's test but could not go and now faces the possibility of losing his job.
He said the company he recently joined advised him to have a licence before they could take him on permanently.
“I only have myself to blame because I missed almost three bookings last year,” he said.
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