DURBAN - KwaZulu-Natal driving school operators have opposed the Department of Education’s plans to start offering driving licences through schools.
The operators from four regions, namely eThekwini, Zululand, Midlands and Northern KZN, which are represented by Ubumbano Driving School Operations Association, caused a partial shutdown on the N3 and caused a traffic backlog on the national highway by driving slowly to hand over a memorandum of demands to the premier’s office in Pietermaritzburg.
Some of their demands included Covid-19 relief funds, driving schools road signs, reserved lane lines for driving schools and training grounds with facilities such as toilets, water and lights.
This came shortly after the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, announced that her department was working with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to offer driving and learners licences in schools across the country.
Currently, South Africa faces a backlog of more than half a million licences after the national Covid-19 lockdown.
Pinetown Driving School MP owner Phezulu Maluleka said they were concerned because they were not consulted by the department.
“We are the people working in the driving industry qualified to teach people to drive.
“This clearly suggested the intention to outsource tenders to people who are not even certified to teach driving. What would happen to our jobs and businesses?” said Maluleka.
Chris Sahade, of Clayfield Driving School, said the government had to acknowledge their role by providing ranks for them.
“We are not recognised. Almost every sector and business is acknowledged besides us. We do not have proper fields and facilities to teach or train people to park.
“We look for spots to operate. Enough is enough. We want service delivery so we are able to operate properly,” said Sahade.
The association’s PRO, Mzwandile Zondi, said not being recognised for relief funding despite the driving schools losing income during the lockdown level 5 had hit hard.
“Everyone including those living on the streets got their share of help through the fund except us.
“Our cars were repossessed and our offices closed. We want the government to support this sector as it is important in changing people’s lives,” said Zondi.
Accepting the memorandum on behalf of the premier was Samuel Khuzwayo.
“We are going to write down solutions to these concerns and then consult driving schools.”
Daily News