MEC Motlhabane Opens the Taung Vehicle Testing Station (VTS) After Being Closed 23 Years Ago

For the past 23 years the people of Greater Taung Municipality have been struggling to get their vehicles tested for roadworthiness. The Taung Vehicle Testing Station which has since been closed in 1994, was recently renovated, refurbished and upgraded. Thus readied for being officially opened by the Community Safety and Transport Management MEC, Dr Mpho Motlhabane.

In the last 23 years motorists in Taung had to travel over 70km to Vryburg to access a vehicle testing services or had to travel about 40km to Hartswater, which is in the neighbouring Northern Cape Province.

Speaking during the official opening of this long awaited Taung Vehicle Testing Station, MEC Motlhabane said the department has noted serious concerns that; the non functioning of this station has not only frustrated the motor vehicle owners, but also the law enforcement officers who could not have suspected un-roadworthy vehicles tested locally, here in Taung.

“Today we are not only shortening your journeys to Vryburg and Hartswater but we are cancelling these unnecessary trips. Let us use this testing station effectively in order to ensure that our vehicles are compliant and fit for the road.

Remember that whenever a vehicle is tested outside the province, Hartswater which is in Northern Cape in this regard, it becomes a loss of revenue to Bokone Bophirima, which is what we are safeguarding. The province needs the skills, infrastructure and personnel to operate this vehicle station, and we do have, by the way.” said Motlhabane.

According to the systems report, recently there are about 430 unlicensed motor vehicles around Taung, of which; 180 are light-loading vehicles, 05 heavy-loading vehicles, 17 mini buses as well as 205 light passenger vehicles carrying less than 12 persons.

“These 430 unlicensed vehicles are on our roads on daily basis and as a result, they increase potential accidents and road safety risks. We therefore humbly request owners of these vehicles to come to this station and test their vehicles,” concluded Motlhabane who further appealed to officials employed at the station to be vigilant against individuals who would attempt to bribe them.

In his response to the opening of the station, the Chief of Batlhaping Ba-Ga Phuduhutswana, Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane expressed his gratitude and appreciation. “The opening of this station brings us a great sigh of relief because we have been frustrated for the past years having to cope with the long distances to access these services. We are grateful and we are committing to taking a good care of the facility,” he said.

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