The Makana Traffic Department has issued an apology for a long-running system failure that has resulted in a shutdown of their computers and telephone lines.
The Makana Traffic Department has issued an apology for a long-running system failure that has resulted in a shutdown of their computers and telephone lines.
The Electronic National Administration Traffic Information System (eNATIS) crashed on Thursday 30 November after Telkom cables burnt, the Traffic Department's senior superintendent Guliano Flotman said today.
"We came to work on Thursday morning and we were greeted by a strong smell of burnt cables," he said.
The department's doors are still locked for those seeking driver's licenses, learner's certificates as well as vehicle registration licensing.
In a telephone interview with Grocott's Mail on Monday Flotman said, "A substantial amount of revenue is lost every day but we are working around the clock to fix the problem."
According to Flotman Telkom technicians have been working hard and have managed to fix the underground system. Flotman said Makana's backup system was also incapacitated and that technicians are working on it too.
Flotman has apologised on behalf of the Makana Traffic Department and urged the public to be patient. He said technicians from the service provider have been called as well.
"Hopefully by tomorrow [Tuesday 9 December] or Wednesday the problem will be fixed," said Flotman.
Meanwhile the Grahamstown South African Police Service has also apologised, as the 10111 emergency line is still down.
Police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender told Grocott's Mail, "We have a huge challenge in Grahamstown, as our emergency line is out of order. It is currently being attended to."
Govender said the problem was caused by last month's powerful storm. Uprooted trees destroyed power lines in some parts of the city.
According to Govender, the 10111 emergency line operates on a separate system from the Telkom line.
The alternative number to call during the time of emergency is 046 603 9152. This is not a toll-free number.
