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“ALTHOUGH it is the responsibility of the service provider to ensure that the licence discs are up to date, it is the municipality’s duty to make sure that contractors adhere to the by-laws.
“It they cannot clamp down on their own service providers, how can they hold other motorists responsible for traffic violations such as driving without a safety belt?
“They must be consistent.”
According to AfriForum Jeffreys Bay Chairperson, Danie Fouche, only one of the ten vehicles currently being used, belongs to the specific service provider, while at least two are the property of an auctioneer in Richards Bay.
“Something is not right – I just cannot put my finger on it,” he says.
He says that the municipality is in a very difficult situation, “Should they suspend the services of the service provider, raw sewage will be the order of the day. However, by allowing the service provider to operate without the necessary licence discs, they are disregarding their own by-laws.”
According to Infrastructure and Engineering Portfolio Councillor, Freddy Campher, the situation has been a major dilemma for the municipality and the decision to keep the vehicles on the road was not taken lightly.
“The municipality in no way condones unlicensed vehicles being on the road. However, these rentals are necessary for the delivery of critical daily services such as the emptying of sewer tanks. Should these services be interrupted, it could have serious health implications for communities.
“The municipality has taken up the matter with the service provider and seven of the vehicles have since received temporary licences.”
Campher said that according to the feedback they have received, the service provider is currently involved in a dispute with the Traffic Department where its vehicles are registered.
“This has caused the delay in the vehicles being licensed; it is not necessarily that the vehicles are not roadworthy.
“The municipality’s fleet section has been inspecting the vehicles so as to ensure that no unroadworthy vehicles are in operation,” said Campher.
“The service provider was appointed through a tender process with strict legal prescripts. The municipality cannot, therefore, simply end the contract and replace the service provider with local contractors.
“Due process must be followed.”
