Driving school owners to shut down test centres thanks to eNatis

Driving school owners in Gauteng are vowing to continue protesting at licencing stations in Pretoria. The disgruntled owners want their concerns to be fully addressed. They are unimpressed with the new online booking system.

Driving schools do not want the eNatis to be in effect

The electronic National Traffic Information System (eNatis) is focused on reducing long lines and eradicating corruption at licence testing stations across Mzansi. Driving school operators believe that the alleged technical issues being faced are negatively impacting their customers. 

The owners are desperate to return to the manual system.

Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula gave out a stern warning condoning any unruly behaviour. The minister stressed that law enforcement officials will be called. He shared that those displaying such behaviour would be harshly dealt with, reports SABC News.

Testing centres face continued disruptions

The report further stated that a number of testing centres in and around Gauteng are not operational as the ongoing strike has disrupted functionality. A few centres in Johannesburg, however, are opened.

As mentioned above, driving school owners stated they were frustrated that the system was not working. However, CEO of the Road Transport Management Corporation (RMTC) Makhosini Msibi has slammed these claims that the system is not operational.

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Just over two weeks have passed and driving school instructors, operators and owners are standing firm with their protests.

Licence renewals will not be extended as the backlog is being dealt with

EWN reported that Minister Mbalula has also spoken out about the extension of licence renewal. Mbalula stated that he addressed the issue of the licence machine. Adding that the renewal time will not be extended – adding to the driving school owner’s frustration.

“The renewal will not be extended. I urged all motorists to go to the different drivers’ centres and renew their driver’s licence because at the end of Marche, we are not going to renew.”

Minister Fikile Mbalula

A recent tweet by the Minister revealed that the renewal backlog clearing is on track. Mbalula confirmed that 40,113 licence cards for drivers were produced as of 25 February. The current backlog sits at 534,807.

ALSO READ: ‘I’ll educate you’ – Annoyed Mbalula hits back at driver’s license card machine critics