Year-end function more NB than service

020807 Testing Station 002 Wating at the almost empty drivers licence testing station in Randburg. Picture Ilvy Njiokiktjien

020807 Testing Station 002 Wating at the almost empty drivers licence testing station in Randburg. Picture Ilvy Njiokiktjien

Published Dec 7, 2012

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Angry Randburg residents did not feel much Christmas cheer on Friday morning when they discovered the Randburg Licensing Department was closed for its year-end function.

"This is bullshit," Nicholas Ditshego fumed.

A notice on the door read: "Motor vehicle licensing will be closed at 10am on Friday December 7, due to a year end function".

Neville Pritchard, who went to renew his car licence disc, said he was turned away on Thursday and told to return on Friday.

"No one told me it would be closed," he said.

Dozens of people were turned away by three security guards from as early as 9.30am.

People complained that no previous notifications were put up prior to the closure, and that the notification was only put up around 9.45am on Friday morning.

One woman was reduced to tears.

Ruth Thomas, who wanted to renew her vehicle licence, had an argument with the security guards and said she was there on Thursday afternoon and was told to return on Friday because they were on their lunch break between 11am and 2pm.

Annette Smith complained that she was certain it was unlawful to close the department for a end-year function.

No one from the licensing department was available to comment. - Sapa

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