HUNDREDS of taxis and buses in Gauteng are operating without permits because the computer system at the provincial department of roads and transport has been offline for the past two months.
In September, the department moved some of its sections to a building in Diagonal Street, in the Johannesburg CBD, from its original building on the corner of Rissik and Commissioner streets.
The affected sections include the registrations of new operation routes, transport management and operating permits.
Taxi and bus associations will have to wait until the end of January next year to get their permits in the city branch, said the department.
Some of the department's employees, who cannot be named for fear of reprisals, confirmed that their computers were not yet connected.
Bara City Taxi Association's chairman Thami Buthelezi said last week they had 13 taxis impounded because they did not have operational permits, though applications had been submitted to the office but were yet to be considered for approval.
Buthelezi said the department's problem was affecting them.
"Our members are losing a lot of money, because they do not have permits," Buthelezi said.
"Some have been waiting for permits since 2006."
South African Bus Operators Association executive manager Eric Cornelius said: "The problem started on September 27 when the department moved to a new building. They cannot make new permits, or convert permits to operating licences, due to their computers not working. Many buses are operating illegally because they do not have licences and are unnecessarily being made to pay hefty fines."
Meadowlands Dube and Noord Taxi owners Association's chairman Sabelo Moyo said: "Traffic police impound these vehicles though they have a letter and receipt as proof of application. If they impound a vehicles you have to pay R1300 for its release. Sometimes they impound the same vehicle twice in a week. We are forced to operate illegally because we have to pay instalments for the vehicle and make a living."
Department spokeswoman Octavia Mamabolo said all public transport operators had been advised to submit their applications for permits, and operating licences to the offices in Pretoria and Randfontein.
"The department has increased the capacity to receive and process applications at the operational offices," Mamabolo said.
"The relocation of offices was caused by the cancellation of the agreement with the previous landlord." - bambalelep@sowetan.co.za
Taxis 'forced to operate illegally'
HUNDREDS of taxis and buses in Gauteng are operating without permits because the computer system at the provincial department of roads and transport has been offline for the past two months.
In September, the department moved some of its sections to a building in Diagonal Street, in the Johannesburg CBD, from its original building on the corner of Rissik and Commissioner streets.
The affected sections include the registrations of new operation routes, transport management and operating permits.
Taxi and bus associations will have to wait until the end of January next year to get their permits in the city branch, said the department.
Some of the department's employees, who cannot be named for fear of reprisals, confirmed that their computers were not yet connected.
Bara City Taxi Association's chairman Thami Buthelezi said last week they had 13 taxis impounded because they did not have operational permits, though applications had been submitted to the office but were yet to be considered for approval.
Buthelezi said the department's problem was affecting them.
"Our members are losing a lot of money, because they do not have permits," Buthelezi said.
"Some have been waiting for permits since 2006."
South African Bus Operators Association executive manager Eric Cornelius said: "The problem started on September 27 when the department moved to a new building. They cannot make new permits, or convert permits to operating licences, due to their computers not working. Many buses are operating illegally because they do not have licences and are unnecessarily being made to pay hefty fines."
Meadowlands Dube and Noord Taxi owners Association's chairman Sabelo Moyo said: "Traffic police impound these vehicles though they have a letter and receipt as proof of application. If they impound a vehicles you have to pay R1300 for its release. Sometimes they impound the same vehicle twice in a week. We are forced to operate illegally because we have to pay instalments for the vehicle and make a living."
Department spokeswoman Octavia Mamabolo said all public transport operators had been advised to submit their applications for permits, and operating licences to the offices in Pretoria and Randfontein.
"The department has increased the capacity to receive and process applications at the operational offices," Mamabolo said.
"The relocation of offices was caused by the cancellation of the agreement with the previous landlord." - bambalelep@sowetan.co.za
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