29 Nov 2018

Ministry of Transport and Communications is unable to deploy more staff at Letlhakane due to constraints and non-availability of vacant posts, says acting Minister, Mr Vincent Seretse. 

Responding to a question on behalf of Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Seretse acknowledged that there was an increase in demand for vehicle registration and licensing services as well as other services in the area. 

To address the challenge, he said the ministry was partnering with BotswanaPost in order to ease the situation on renewal of vehicle licenses, adding that in the near future the service would be provided on-line. 

Mr Seretse noted that whenever demand was high and additional manpower could be found from other stations, the ministry deployed more officers to augment the staff at Letlhakane office. 

He noted that duties of licensing officers included to register vehicles, renew drivers’ licenses, issue drivers’ licenses, issue passenger and goods permits, issue temporary permits and administer driver test bookings. 

Mr Seretse said Letlhakane has two officers, Palapye four and Mahalapye four officers too. He said the Department of Road Transport and Safety continued to assess and monitor the levels of service provision across its offices countrywide, citing that if funds and resources became available, consideration would be made to improve the situation. 

“There is a plan to provide a shade in the customer waiting area for purposes of convenience and this is planned to be done before the end of the current financial year,” he said, adding  that he had directed that the shade issue be expedited. 

MP for Boteti East, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe had asked the minister why the Letlhakane office could not be given more officers under vehicle registration and licensing section despite numerous requests by the head of department of road transport and safety in the area. Mr Lelatisitswe also wanted to know how many customers were assisted by the office in Letlhakane, Palapye and Mahalapye. 

He further asked if the ministry would consider assisting the office looking at its area of coverage, and to explain if the waiting area was suitable for customers. ENDS