Note to editors: Please find attached English, Sesotho and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Nicky van Wyk.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mantsopa Local Municipality calls for immediate attention to the ongoing mismanagement at the Ladybrand Traffic Department. Since last November, the department has been unable to conduct vehicle roadworthy tests due to a malfunctioning testing machine, rendering the entire testing station inoperable. This situation is unacceptable and has had a ripple effect on the residents of Ladybrand and the surrounding towns.
Residents are now forced to travel to either Ficksburg or Bloemfontein—each an hour away—to have their vehicles tested. This not only increases costs but also results in lost workdays for many vehicle owners. Additionally, the added strain on the testing stations in these towns exacerbates the issue, further inconveniencing the community.
The municipality has failed to provide any indication of when the testing station will be operational again or if there is even a plan in place to repair the machine. This lack of transparency and ineffective management is deeply concerning.
The DA strongly condemns this negligent approach to a vital public service. We will advocate for the immediate repair of the testing machine and the restoration of full operations at the Ladybrand Traffic Department. Furthermore, we will engage with our portfolio members of the provincial legislature to ensure that this matter is addressed as a priority.