Latest news with #DepartmentofTransport
The Citizen
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Thembisa Taxi Association appoints new leadership
Every four years, the Thembisa Local Taxi Association (Telta) appoints a new executive team to build on their predecessors' work and ensure the smooth running of the local taxi industry. The latest leadership changes took place recently, marked by a celebratory handover at the Rabasotho Community Centre. Under the leadership of chairperson Zweli Mnisi, the association committed to a fresh start, focusing on transparency, improved communication and stronger community collaboration. The new executives officially took up their positions, with stakeholders from the Ekurhuleni region, the Department of Transport and other regional committees in attendance. ALSO READ: New leadership for taxi association elected at AGM Telta's newly appointed public relations officer, Noah Moleya, says commuters can expect changes in how the association operates. 'As the new PRO under Mnisi's leadership, I am committed to working closely with the community and the business forum. 'Our first step is to rebuild the trust lost over the years. We aim to educate commuters about our services and be more visible and accessible,' said Moleya. He acknowledged that the association's past silence on key community issues damaged public trust. 'We know the community once relied on us, but we stayed silent and failed to show up as we should have. It's time to correct those mistakes. 'We have officially taken up our roles, and I am ready to serve the community through programmes, solutions and open dialogue,' he said. ALSO READ: National Shutdown: Violence erupts as Kempton protesters face taxi associations in CBD Moleya also emphasised a renewed focus on commuter safety and accountability. 'One of our main priorities is educating commuters on how to identify taxis in cases of lost items or driver incidents. Every taxi displays an identity number next to the heart sticker inside the vehicle. 'We urge commuters to memorise or note these three-digit numbers. If you lose something or feel mistreated, you can report it to us using the number. It's linked to our database, allowing us to quickly trace the driver and resolve the issue.' The new leadership promised to keep the media updated on changes, progress and initiatives aimed at improving the commuter experience and protecting commuter rights. Dr Mandlakhe Mtshali, representing the Ekurhuleni region and the Department of Transport, praised the leadership transition and the association's dedication to building stronger community ties. 'We aim to build a partnership with the people of Thembisa. We welcome the community's guidance on creating a better, co-operative future. We also thank the Department of Transport for its approval and ongoing support throughout this process,' he said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
IOL News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
Call for Transport Minister to suspend penalties for motorists amid driving licence backlog
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has asked Transport Minister to suspend penalties related to expired driver's licence cards for motorists who have applied for renewals. Image: File photo: INLSA The Department of Transport is facing mounting pressure to address a significant backlog of driving licence cards, currently standing at 690,000, following the breakdown of its sole card-printing machine in April. As the department works to reduce this backlog, which has decreased by approximately 43,000 from the previously reported 733,000, stakeholders are urging Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to waive fines for motorists affected by the delays. The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse's (Outa) Advocate Stefanie Fick on Tuesday wrote to Creecy and asked her to consider announcing a moratorium on fines related to expired driver's licence cards for motorists who have already applied for renewals, and that no temporary licences should be required until all backlogs have been cleared. She also requested the department to consider issuing public communication of this moratorium through all official channels, including the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), provincial traffic authorities and traditional and social media. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Fick added that the department must provide clarity to all enforcement officials to prevent unwarranted fines and harassment of motorists. Department of Transport spokesperson, Collin Msibi, confirmed it received the letter which is being processed internally for the Minister's attention. Fick said it was important to note that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the department recognised the exceptional circumstances and issued blanket extensions on the validity of expired driver's licences, allowing the public reasonable leeway while the system was caught up. She said this temporary relief was an example of fair, compassionate governance in the face of operational disruption. 'We urge the department to take a similar approach now, especially given that this crisis stems from internal systemic failures rather than a national emergency,' Fick said. Creecy recently revealed that the department spent over R12 million on the repair and maintenance of the printing machine over the past three years. The department has been trying to procure another machine for years, but repeatedly cancelled and reissued the tender. In August last year, the department announced that it had appointed Idemia and Security South Africa as the preferred bidder for a tender to print new driving licence smart cards. However, Outa's investigation uncovered irregularities and handed the report to Creecy, who in turn passed it to the Auditor-General (AG). In March, Creecy announced that the AG investigation identified instances of non-compliance with the required procurement procedures, and added that she instructed her department to lodge a High Court application for a declaratory order regarding the tender. Fick said Outa is still waiting for clarity on the contract process. Cape Argus
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
New Driver and Vehicle Services centre confirmed for Perth
A new licensing centre will be built in Perth's south-east in an attempt to reduce customer frustration and wait times at other metropolitan centres, such as Cannington. Ahead of the State Budget being handed down tonight, the State Government confirmed $4 million would be set aside for a new Driver and Vehicle Services Centre in Armadale or Byford. The busy Cannington centre will also have its hours extended through July and August, as part of a two-month trial to provide more before and after-work opportunities for people to attend. The Cannington, City West and Mirrabooka centres will all be open from between 7.15am and 5.30pm rather than the normal 8.15am to 4.30pm timing. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Department of Transport customer support services assistant director Chad Simeons said wait times were already more than 6.5 minutes quicker now compared to 12 months ago and the latest trial could help even more. 'It's going to be really good for our customers and it's going to give working people more of an opportunity to come in before or after work,' he said. 'We're hoping to smooth out the transactions and that will hopefully lead to reduced wait times. 'It is a trial so we aren't certain what the outcomes will be but the idea is we're pulling some levers to make it easier for customers.' One in five visitors to the Cannington and Success centres are driving up to 40 minutes from the fast growing City of Armadale, City of Gosnells or Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale suburbs. Assistant Transport Minister Jessica Stojkovski said community and stakeholder consultation would help pick the most appropriate location. 'The Department of Transport has recently experienced rapid growth in demand for its services, particularly in the thriving south-east metro region, which is putting pressure on existing DVS centres and increasing wait times for customers,' she said. 'The Cook Government's election commitment of a new licensing centre in the Armadale/Byford area will provide better access to DoT services. much closer to home for those residents currently driving 30 to 40 minutes to attend another centre, such as Cannington or Success.' The services on offer at the new centre will include learner permit applications, theory and hazard perception tests, practical driving assessments, overseas driver's licence transfers and boat registrations.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Outa calls for no fines during driver's licence backlog
Although it was not their fault, people who cannot produce their physical driver's licences are fined due to the printing backlog. Civil action organisation Outa has called on the minister of transport to pause fines for people who cannot show their driver's licences due to the backlog when the printer broke down for the second time. Outa has asked Minister Barbara Creecy to waive fines and temporary licences for people waiting for new driving licence cards that are stuck in the backlog. The Department of Transport reported a backlog of 690 000 driving licence cards last week due to the breakdown earlier this year of the sole card-printing machine. Advocate Stefanie Fick, executive director for the accountability division at Outa, wrote to Creecy last week, asking her to consider extending the validity period for all drivers licence cards to 10 years while the card backlog exists: Place a moratorium on fines related to expired driver's licence cards for motorists who already applied for renewals and that no temporary licences are required until all backlogs are cleared. Public communication of this moratorium through all official channels, including RTMC platforms, provincial traffic authorities and traditional and social media and Providing clarity to all enforcement officials to prevent unwarranted fines and harassment of motorists. Fick says fining motorists who are still waiting for their renewed cards is unfair. ALSO READ: Why has the questionable driving licence card tender not been overturned? Driver's licence card machine tender suspended after Outa pointed out irregularities Outa's investigation last year uncovered huge irregularities in the process for buying a new driving licence card machine. The tender was awarded in August, and in September, Outa handed its investigation report to the minister, who in turn passed this on to the Auditor-General of South Africa. In March this year, the minister announced that the AGSA's investigation confirmed irregularities and said she would go to court to overturn the tender award. 'We are still waiting for clarity on the contract process,' Fick says. In her letter to Creecy, Fick expresses Outa's 'deep concern about the growing frustration faced by motorists who may face unfair treatment or may even be penalised for expired driver's licence cards, despite having followed due process'. Fick writes that while the department works through the backlog, law enforcement officials may fine many law-abiding motorists for not being able to physically show their renewed cards even when they hold receipts or valid temporary licences proving compliance. ALSO READ: Outa: Public misled about driving licence card validity Public penalised for failures not of their own making regarding driver's licences 'The public is penalised for failures not of their own making but due to a broken system that is currently unable to meet service delivery expectations. It is important to note that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the department recognised the exceptional circumstances and issued blanket extensions on the validity of expired driver's licences, allowing the public reasonable leeway while the system caught up. 'This temporary relief was an example of fair, compassionate governance in the face of operational disruption. We urge the department to take a similar approach now, especially given that this crisis stems from internal systemic failures rather than a national emergency.' Fick also emphasises the urgency of extending the validity of driver's licences from 5 years to 10 years, a change that would reduce administrative pressure on the system, save costs and align South Africa with global best practice.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Video: Forensic review of dismembered remains confirms 10 died in Vryheid crash
'A trail of destruction… innocent lives lost, and the lives of many families have been turned upside down.' These were the words of the KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, following a horrific crash near Vryheid in KZN. The Witness reports that after a forensic review of dismembered remains, it was confirmed that 10 people died in the collision. Duma confirmed the death toll after visiting the crash site, hospitals and mortuaries. He said poor visibility in the early hours of the morning contributed to confusion and an initial miscount of casualties at the scene. The devastating accident, involving a bus and a truck, occurred on the R34 near Vryheid in the early hours this morning. The EFF confirmed that the victims were members returning from the party's June 16 Youth Day rally in Umlazi. The party said it is working closely with authorities to identify the deceased and support affected families. According to the Department of Transport, the 10 deceased include seven males and three females. 'Thirty-three passengers sustained minor injuries and were able to walk, three were injured but not critically, and two are in critical condition. The bodies of the deceased have been moved to the Dundee Mortuary. Both the bus and truck drivers survived and are receiving medical attention in hospital,' says Duma. The Road Traffic Inspectorate and the SAPS is conducting a thorough investigation into the crash. 'Conflicting survivor accounts have surfaced, with some alleging the bus driver attempted to overtake, while others claim he may have fallen asleep behind the wheel. We do not want to speculate at this stage. We are confident the investigation will provide clarity,' Duma adds. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
