Driver's licence deadline looming large for many KZN motorists
There were long queues outside many testing centres on Thursday as motorists made a last-minute dash to renew their driver's licences.
Thursday is the deadline to renew licences that expired during the lockdown.
The Automobile Association and the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse have pleaded with Minister of Transport Fikile Mabalula to extend the deadline due to the extent of the backlog.
The process of issuing new cards was slowed down by the Covid-19 measures and the breakdown of the card printing machine last year.
Newswatch spoke to some motorists who say it's been a frustrating process.
"I am very dissatisfied with how everything has been handled in government level because of problems with the machines and we as motorists have to bear the brunt and the pain we are enduring at the moment,” one motorist said.
"We as motorists, I think we are being victimised and we need an extension, probably another six months to a year."
READ: AA appeals for driver's licence deadline extension
Durbanite Sfiso Kunene agreed that motorists need more time.
"Maybe that will make things easier for motorists because it's really frustrating. You go there and you are told that the machines are not working and a lot of people's licences have expired and they are unable to renew their licences. I think they need to improve their system."
Trevor Naidoo wants officers to stop issuing fines until the backlog has been cleared.
"It's going to affect motorists because police are going stop them on the road, if their licence is expired because of the backlog, there's nothing you can do. The minister has to give them a break for at least a couple of months. What's going to happen to them? That means you can't drive around."
Mbalula is expected to brief the country on Friday.
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