Joburg licensing centres hit by paperwork shortages as R10bn union deal moves ahead

Johannesburg motorists trying to renew their licences or access other vehicle-related services are being sent elsewhere after several licensing centres were affected by a shortage of essential stationery.

At least three licensing centres in the city have been reported as affected, including Langlaagte, Midrand and Waterfall Office Park.

The disruption comes as the City of Johannesburg faces continued scrutiny over service delivery, while Mayor Dada Morero is simultaneously pushing ahead with a multi-year agreement worth more than R10 billion for municipal workers.

Langlaagte licensing centre shuts its doors

The City confirmed that the busy Langlaagte licensing centre would temporarily suspend operations from 8 October.

MMC for Public Safety Moshe Koma said the closure was caused by a shortage of essential stationery needed to provide services.

Motorists and residents who need licensing services have been advised to use alternative centres while the supplies are replenished.

“The Langlaagte licensing centre will temporarily suspend operations from 8 October, owing to a shortage of essential stationery supplies,” Koma said.

The City has not provided a specific date for when the centre will reopen.

For residents who rely on the centre for driving and vehicle-related services, the closure means potentially travelling further and facing additional queues at other facilities.

Midrand and Waterfall centres also affected

The Democratic Alliance said the stationery problem extends beyond Langlaagte.

According to the party, residents reported that the Midrand and Waterfall Office Park licensing departments had also closed after running out of paper.

The DA said the reported shortages were affecting services including driving licence renewals and operating licence applications.

The party plans to conduct an oversight visit at the affected centres to establish the extent of the problem.

The closures are likely to add pressure to other licensing facilities as motorists are redirected to alternative locations.

Meanwhile, Morero pushes R10bn Samwu agreement

The licensing disruption comes against the backdrop of another major issue facing Johannesburg: the City’s proposed R10 billion agreement with the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu).

Morero addressed union members on Wednesday and said negotiations over the multi-year politically facilitated agreement were close to being finalised.

The deal would see Samwu members receive more than R10 billion in backdated remuneration and benefits over three years.

Morero said the question was no longer whether the City would pay, but when the payments would be made.

“It is no longer a debate on whether we are paying or not; the debate is at what point we are paying,” he said.

The mayor also said the City intended to move away from labour brokering and certain contracted services.

In return, he called on unions to help improve productivity and ensure municipal operations run more effectively.

Concerns over City’s finances

The proposed agreement has already attracted criticism from those who believe Johannesburg cannot afford the additional financial burden.

The concern is particularly significant given the City’s ongoing service delivery problems and financial pressures.

Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse executive director Wayne Duvenage previously warned that the City was in an extremely difficult financial position.

“This is the worst shape the city and its finances have ever been, and it’s not going to be an easy ride,” he said.

The debate now places two issues side by side: residents are dealing with basic service disruptions such as licensing centres running out of stationery, while the City prepares to commit billions of rands to a labour agreement.

For motorists, however, the immediate concern is simpler: if their usual licensing centre is closed, they will need to find an alternative before making the trip.

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Source: The Citizen