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The situation was defused by Mr Peter Magwala, the Municipal Director: Community Affairs, who instructed the protesters to leave the premises and to designate representatives who could negotiate in an orderly fashion on their behalf to resolve their problems.
The protesters then left and re-assembled outside the gates, while negotiations got underway inside the building.
Mr Magwala expressed his dissatisfaction with the conduct of the protesters who not only placed municipal property at risk, but also jeopardised their own safety by protesting alongside an open inspection pit in the building. Their conduct was a severe and uncalled-for embarrassment. He said the municipality had a very positive and constructive relationship with driving school owners and instructors and consultations took place almost on a daily basis between them. There was, therefore, no reason for mass protest action.
“They could merely have come to my office and lodged their complaint at any time.”
Representatives complained about unacceptable conduct of a municipal official at the testing facility, which they described as unreasonable, impolite and racist.
Mr Magwala said he viewed the complaints in a very serious light and promised an immediate investigation. The official concerned was withdrawn with immediate effect from the testing facility.
Mr Magwala warned protestors that his intervention should not be seen as a signal that all comers would now just pass their tests. Stringent testing criteria will remain in place at the municipal testing facility.
Mr Martin Luus of the Municipal Traffic Department drew the attention of the meeting to the fact that important changes had recently been announced with regard to the legislation affecting the testing of motor vehicles. He suggested that all owners and instructors attend a workshop to familiarise themselves with these changes. Mr Magwala instructed that a workshop should be arranged forthwith.
News - Date: 28 April 2006
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Frans van der Merwe is a freelance journalist with more than 40 years experience in the newspaper industry. Apart from newspaper reporting, he was also involved with radio news, news reading, training and marketing. He has been living and working in Louis Trichardt since 1991.
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