Grocott’s Mail asked our reporter Chalotte Mokonyane to follow Makana Municipality’s progress with reopening the Traffic Department after the previous building was condemned. Here, Mokonyane gives an account of how the reporting on this matter has not been straightforward.
The prolonged closure of Makhanda’s traffic department has significantly disrupted residents and local businesses, leaving many without essential services like driver’s license renewals and vehicle registrations.
What began as a temporary shutdown in November 2024 due to an unsafe building with severe roof leakages and no electricity has escalated into a months-long saga of unfulfilled promises and communication breakdowns.
Initially, motorists were forced to travel to Port Alfred, incurring additional costs and time, a burden particularly heavy for those without private transport or flexible work schedules. Driving schools in the area reported financial distress, with some forced to increase prices to cover transportation fees for their clients.
Despite the Makana Municipality’s repeated assurances and attempts to secure a new facility, including an RFQ process that initially failed to yield responses, and later the identification and approval of a new building at 22A Hill Street with a projected opening date of 1 June 2025, the reality on the ground remains one of continued inconvenience and a lack of full services. This ongoing situation highlights a critical failure in public service delivery and communication from local authorities, leaving the community frustrated and in limbo.
The recent opening of the new traffic department building on 17 June 2025, as announced on the Makana Municipality’s Facebook page on 13 June, brought a glimmer of hope, but this was quickly diminished by the revelation that only law enforcement and fine-related services were available.
A month later, no further updates or expanded services have been communicated, leaving residents in the dark about when they can access crucial facilities like driving and learner’s license tests and vehicle registrations.
This partial operation of the new facility directly contradicts earlier assurances that the municipality would “prepare for opening operations” and recruit staff, creating a significant disconnect between official statements and the actual services provided.
The reliance on external services, particularly the Post Office for vehicle licensing, offered a temporary setback, but this too was abruptly halted on 9 July 2025, due to staff leave, further worsening the community’s difficulties. The lack of foresight in establishing alternative arrangements or ensuring continuity of essential services has left Makhanda residents scrambling, highlighting a systemic issue within the municipality’s planning and execution.
Attempts to seek clarity from official channels have been met with a wall of silence and unhelpful responses. My persistent inquiries to Nobuhle Gxabashe, the Post Office Area Manager, regarding the vehicle licensing halt have gone unanswered, with no replies to emails or calls to her work landline.
Similarly, the Department of Transport spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, provided a vague and unhelpful response on 17 July, stating, “I’m generally more efficient than this, but I’m let down by the experts in this space.”
Makana Municipality spokesperson, Anele Mjekula, when pressed on 9 July, offered a partial explanation, saying equipment from the old building was moved in July and the Department of Transport is awaiting permission and their own electrician for installation, with authorisation expected by 1 August 2025. While this provides a timeline for some progress, it still doesn’t address the month-long silence on broader service updates, nor does it explain the initial partial opening.
The consistent lack of transparent and comprehensive communication from all relevant parties has fueled public frustration and eroded trust in local governance.
The data visualisation below illustrates the timeline of events and the communication gaps experienced by the community. The initial closure in November 2024 due to safety concerns marked the beginning of the crisis. Promises of a new building and an opening by June 1 June 2025, were then made, followed by the partial opening on 17 June 2025, with limited services. The subsequent halt of Post Office vehicle licensing on 9 July 2025 and the delayed, uninformative responses from officials further highlight the ongoing challenges. This visual representation underscores the disparity between announced plans and actual implementation, as well as the frustrating cycle of unaddressed public concerns.
Traffic Department Closed: 2024-11-01, 2025-06-16
RFQ for Repairs Advertised (Dec 2024): 2024-12-01, 2025-03-31
RFQ Re-advertised (March 2025): 2025-03-01, 2025-04-01
New Building Occupancy Promised: 2025-06-01, 1d
Municipality Facebook Post (New building ops): 2025-06-13, 1d
New Building Operations (Law Enforcement/Fines Only): 2025-06-17, 2025-07-19
Post Office Vehicle Licensing Halted: 2025-07-09, 2025-07-19
Reporter Contacts Unathi Binqose: 2025-07-14, 1d
Unathi Binqose Responds: 2025-07-17, 1d
Anele Mjekula Responds: 2025-07-09, 1d
Expected DOT Authorisation/Installation: 2025-08-01, 1d
The ongoing issues with the Makhanda Traffic Department extend beyond mere inconvenience, impacting the livelihoods of driving schools and placing an undue burden on residents, particularly vulnerable groups like pensioners.
The lack of a fully functional traffic department for an extended period represents a significant breakdown in essential municipal services, with far-reaching consequences for the community’s mobility and economic activity.
The unresponsiveness of key officials and the fragmented communication strategy have only exacerbated public distrust and frustration. Moving forward, a more robust and transparent approach is urgently needed from the Makana Municipality and the Department of Transport.
This includes clear, consistent updates on the full spectrum of services that will be offered at the new building, realistic timelines for their implementation, and a dedicated, responsive channel for public inquiries. Without such measures, the Makhanda community will continue to face unnecessary hardships and a dwindling faith in its local governance
