THE Democratic Alliance (DA) reports that the KZN Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), which falls under the KZN Department of Transport (DoT), has not complied with Covid-19 regulations and has closed all Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTC).

The party’s Sharon Hoosen, MPL, called on the KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC, Bheki Ntuli, to ensure safety compliance measures are met so the decision to close the centres can be reversed.

“The RTI’s failure to put proper measures in place at an earlier time is unacceptable. Not only will the closures cost the department millions of Rand in revenue, but they will also cause great inconvenience to the people of KZN,” said Hoosen.

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She noted the closure would create an increase in the number of drivers with expired licences, that there would be no new driver tests and this would further exacerbate the unemployment rate, it would create a major backlog in learners’ licences as well as a further backlog in drivers’ licence renewals.

“The DA expects MEC Ntuli to intervene and turn this wholly unacceptable situation around and to ensure the safety of KZN’s people so that services can resume under strict controls and in line with the National Safety Guidelines,” said Hoosen.

The KZN Department of Transport was contacted for comment regarding the closure of the Driving Licence Testing Centres. The Highway Mail is awaiting a response and an update will be done as soon as it is received.

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