Serious concerns have been raised about ongoing operational difficulties at the Koppies Driving Licence Testing Centre, with warnings that the situation is placing an unfair burden on local residents.
Service delivery at the centre has been severely disrupted, with issues being faced throughout 2025 already, following the suspension of certain personnel members. The suspensions significantly reduced staffing capacity, leaving the facility struggling to operate at full strength.
In an attempt to address the shortage, an interim arrangement was made to deploy a clerk from Sasolburg to assist at the Koppies office. However, the DA says the high travel costs associated with this temporary measure have made it financially unsustainable, while doing little to resolve the broader staffing crisis.
Compounding the problem, the Koppies Traffic Department has reportedly been without the official “green paper” required to print driving licence cards since January 2026. For nearly two months, residents have been unable to have their licences printed locally.
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At present, only limited services are available at the centre. Cllr Carina Serfontein of the Ngwathe Municipality described the situation as unacceptable, saying it continues to disadvantage residents of Koppies and surrounding communities. Many are now forced to travel to neighbouring towns to access basic licensing services, incurring additional time wastage and expense.
In response, the DA has committed to submitting formal oversight questions to the relevant authorities regarding staffing shortages and procurement delays. The party will also request a clear timeline for resolving the green paper shortage and will monitor the progress of internal disciplinary processes that are affecting staffing levels.
Additionally, the DA plans to engage district and provincial authorities to push for urgent intervention and the restoration of full services at the centre.
