Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Ruanda Meyer and Sesotho soundbite by David Masoeu MPL. See attached pictures here and here.
– DA has submitted questions to the NCOP about the Sasolburg Testing Centre crisis.
– Staff shortages, equipment gaps, and Gauteng overflow cause delays.
– Residents pay more, and the province loses revenue daily.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted questions to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) about the ongoing challenges at the Sasolburg Testing Centre and will submit questions to the Minister of Transport to secure urgent intervention and restore efficient service delivery for residents.
A surge of complaints about poor service followed an oversight visit to the Sasolburg Testing Centre by Dr Igor Scheurkogel, MP, and me. During our visit, we observed long queues persisting, with residents reporting that they had been waiting since 11:00, and some even earlier, despite it being 14:00 by the time we arrived.
In response, we met with the management to understand the underlying challenges. They explained that the overflow of residents is due to the online booking system being full in Gauteng, leading to Gauteng residents flooding the Sasolburg centre as a neighbouring alternative. Compounding this problem, the facility is short-staffed and lacks equipment.
Furthermore, the centre is losing thousands of rands each month while remaining largely non-operational, despite the pressing need for a fully functional vehicle testing station.
This situation is severely inconveniencing Metsimaholo’s residents, who are forced to seek testing at private facilities at more than double the cost. Simultaneously, the province is losing revenue, as no substantial effort is being made to revive this critical facility.
We write to the relevant Provincial authorities to prioritise staffing, equipment, and operations so that Sasolburg can again serve as a reliable and affordable testing centre for all residents.
The DA will continue to fight for Service delivery for our communities.