19 Feb 2019

Minister of Transport and Communications, Ms Dorcas Makgato says resources permitting, her ministry will introduce a mobile testing machine in Letlhakane.

   Ms Makgato said on average a mobile testing machine costs between P8 million and P9 million while a static vehicle testing station would cost around P80 million.

“The benefits of either a static or mobile machine include a high level of accuracy in testing results, more efficiency in identifying vehicle defects and general vehicle roadworthiness,” she said.

Over the past three years, from January 2016 to December 2018, Ms Makgato indicated that vehicles tested at Serowe were 5 285, Palapye 9 347, Mahalapye 5 550 and Letlhakane 5 130.

She noted that in Serowe, one vehicle examiner was engaged, four officers in Palapye, two in Mahalapye and two officers in Letlhakane.

She also indicated that Letlhakane DRTS office has an establishment of three officers, but currently manned by two. 

She said challenges which were of concern to the ministry regarding manpower shortages, especially vehicle examiners, had been addressed.

Ms Makgato further said the third officer would resume duty immediately after securing accommodation.

Furthermore, Minister Makgato said an arrangement had been made with mines in the Letlhakane area to always indicate or make a request when they wished for their vehicles to be tested. 

She stated that the arrangement had been in place for five years.

Member of Parliament for Boteti East, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe had asked the minister to confirm if there was only one vehicle examiner in Letlhakane DRTS offices, and if so, she was to state how the officer divided his/her time given the number of vehicles from mines and individuals brought by customers.

He also wanted the house to be informed on the number of vehicles the office had examined over the past three years in Serowe, Palapye and Mahalapye offices, and the number of vehicle examiners involved per office.

MP Lelatisitswe further asked the minister if she would consider transferring more officers to assist at Letlhakane DRTS office, and when the process would come into effect. 

He also enquired whether it was not an opportune time to introduce a vehicle testing machine in Letlhakane DRTS, considering that there were a lot of trucks from the mining sector which required technical and mechanical examination.ENDS