Due to intervention by the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus), a businessman’s dispute with the Gauteng Department of Transport over the renewal of a business licence was resolved in his favour.
The Minister of Transport, Ms Barbara Creecy, heard the Freedom Front Plus’s appeal and ruled that the licence must indeed be issued to the businessman.
The owner of the business, which has been operational since 2002 and manufactures number plates, requested to remain anonymous.
In February this year, the provincial Department of Transport inspected the business premises. Despite the business regularly passing its SABS inspections, producing the relevant certificate and having its premises in good order, the Department refused to renew its licence.
The reason provided was simply that the business did not meet the prescribed requirements.
The business owner approached the Freedom Front Plus for assistance in March. After gathering information and supporting documents, the party immediately lodged an appeal on behalf of the businessman with the Minister of Transport, in terms of Regulation 49 of the National Road Traffic Act, 93 of 1996.
The party itself also visited the business and could find no fault with the premises or its operations.
Yesterday, after reviewing all the facts and records submitted by the party, and comparing it to the Department’s records, Minister Creecy informed the Freedom Front Plus in writing of her decision to uphold the appeal.
In her letter, the Minister noted that the Gauteng Department of Transport failed to comply with Regulation 51 of the National Road Traffic Regulations of 2000 in executing its duties. The complainant was, however, informed of his right to appeal.
The Freedom Front Plus is delighted with this victory. This case is likely not isolated, and the party expects that many other number plate manufacturers experiencing similar issues will approach the Freedom Front Plus for assistance.
The party is already engaging with the Licence Plate Association of South Africa (LAZA), which represents all number plate manufacturers, to determine whether other companies are facing the same problem.
The Freedom Front Plus believes that provincial governments and departments are subject to national legislation and regulations. They have to adhere to the relevant laws and cannot do as they please.
The Freedom Front Plus will keep probing the matter to determine why the provincial Department took such inappropriate steps, which may have cost many people their jobs.
