BLOEMFONTEIN – The Department of Labour’s closure of the Lengau Testing Centre in Bloemfontein due to unsafe working conditions, is just another example of the inability of the ANC government to do timely maintenance. The Fourth Raadzaal, seat of the Free State Government was also recently vacated because of unsafe conditions.
DA Spokesperson for Roads and Transport in the Free State Legislature, Jafta Mokoena, says this closure comes at the worst possible time – as thousands of residents prepare to travel during the festive season, when road safety and compliance with traffic regulations are critical.
“This is not the first time that the Lengau Testing Centre has been declared unsafe,” Mokoena says in a news statement. “Ongoing neglect has resulted in a leaking roof and visible cracks in the walls, pointing to a clear failure by the department to prioritise routine maintenance. As a key centre for revenue collection and service delivery, including driver’s licence testing and motor vehicle transactions, the upkeep of this facility should be treated as a non-negotiable priority.”
Mokoena says the closure has immediate and far-reaching consequences. “Learners who have recently completed their matric examinations are eager to obtain their driver’s licences to access employment and further opportunities.
“Motorists also need to renew their licences and pay for their vehicles to ensure they are legally compliant on the roads. Preventing people from accessing these essential services undermines road safety, particularly during the festive season when traffic volumes increase and the risks of accidents are significantly higher.”
Ensuring that drivers are properly licensed and vehicles are legally registered is a fundamental component of promoting safer roads. “Any disruption to these services places additional strain on road safety efforts and inconveniences law-abiding residents.”
The DA called on the MEC for Roads and Transport, Jabu Mbalula, to intervene urgently and resolve this crisis without further delay. “The Lengau Testing Centre must be made safe and fully operational as a matter of urgency to ensure that residents can access critical services and that road safety is not compromised during this busy holiday period,” Mokoena said.
