Delmas– Frustration is mounting among motorists in Delmas as they struggle to renew their driver’s licences and Professional Driving Permits (PDPs).
Local residents say the Delmas Driver’s Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) distributes only 10 application forms each morning, forcing applicants to arrive before sunrise in hopes of being helped.
“You have to wake up like you’re going to work just to stand in line,” said Lungani Masondo, a local motorist. “Even then, most of us are turned away. That’s why many people are now travelling to Emalahleni, Springs or Bronkhorstspruit just to get basic services.”
France Dube, a resident who applied for a licence renewal on 1 April, said he was told to return in September to check if the card was ready. The delay was blamed on a system failure, but he fears his temporary licence will expire before the new one is issued.
“There’s no communication,” he said. “You just have to keep checking in-person. No SMS. no update.”
These local challenges come against the backdrop of a national backlog in driver’s licence card production, caused by the breakdown of the country’s only printing machine earlier this year. According to a statement released on 8 May 2025 by the National Department of Transport, the machine has been repaired and operations have resumed.
When asked why delays continue despite the machine being fixed, the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison spokesperson Moeti Mmusi said:
“We will investigate the claim that only a limited number of applicants are being assisted. Once we establish all the facts, appropriate steps will be taken in the interest of service delivery.”
Mmusi also addressed service disruptions caused by system downtime.
“We acknowledge that sometimes the system is down, and we regretfully have to send people back. For that, we apologise.”
