Finger trouble has Ben enraged

2004-01-13 21:47

Rajaa Azzakani

Johannesburg - The Gauteng MEC for transport has agreed to look into a complaint by a Johannesburg man who is at his "wits end" after battling for almost a year to get his new driver's licence following a mix-up over fingerprints.

In a last-ditch effort to rectify the problem, a frustrated Benjamin William Kruger of Brixton approached Beeld on Monday - but only after being sent from pillar to post by the licensing department.

Kruger said his ordeal began in February last year when he went to apply for his new licence at the Loveday Street branch.

He said that his son, who had the same initials as him, applied for his licence about the same time.

"I was told to collect it in five weeks. When I got there, I was told to come back in four weeks.

"Much later, they realised there were two B W Krugers and that the fingerprints had been swopped around," he said.

"Initially, they asked that I not leak this information. I agreed, but now it's been going on for too long. I have tried everything and am now at my wits end," he said.

He said his temporary permit had expired twice and that at present he was without a driver's licence - which was a problem as he needed to drive for work purposes.

He he was concerned he could lose his job because he had no licence.

Meanwhile, the Loveday Street licensing office refused to comment on Monday.

Sizwe Matshikiza, a spokesperson for Khabisi Mosunkutu, Gauteng's MEC for transport, apologised on the department's behalf for any inconvenience Kruger had had.

He suggested Kruger fax his complaint through to the MEC's office as "the MEC deals with such problems himself".

- Beeld