TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT

In the process of trying to renew the licences for my vehicle, I went to the Bellville offices on 3 occasions. The first time, the doors were closed but there were some people waiting outside. I waited with them. A security guard then told us that they had, had a COVID case and that the offices will only open again in the afternoon. (This was not indicated anywhere to inform people). I went back that afternoon only to find that the offices were still closed. I went back a few days later but the queue was way too long so I drove to the Durbanville offices. The queue there was long as well and when I arrived there at +/-15:00, I was informed that they have closed the queues and that I will not be helped that day. I should return on 18 December as they will open at 07:30. I put in a day's leave from work and arrived there at 7:15 on 18 December and joined what was a fairly long queue at that stage already. I spent more than 3 hours in the queue outside in the sun before gaining access to the building and then another 15 to 20 minutes before actually getting the licence renewed. The explanation I received was that the queues are always long over December. I know this is the case because it is an issue, I experience every year. My feeling is that bad performance plus a good excuse does not equate to good performance. If there is an issue in December, plans should be made to address this. I have tried the option of paying someone to do it for me, last year but it is fairly expensive and with *******ion the way it is, one can never be sure of what you will be getting. Why can the post offices in the Cape not be used as is the case in all other provinces or else additional staff should be contracted for December to make provision for this? Four hours of leave or no pay to renew a licence makes it very expensive as is driving from one municipality to the next to try and find a shorter queue.