KZN Public Works under pressure as Durban licensing centres face critical service disruptions

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) intends to resolve the debt owed to the eThekwini Municipality after the disconnection of services to licensing and testing centres in Durban. 

The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) Rossburgh Licensing and Testing Centre, the RTI Umdloti, and the Department of Transport (DoT) Regional Office had their water and electricity supplies disconnected due to unpaid property taxes totalling R520 million.

Siboniso Duma, the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, said his department pays its bills on time and explained that the KZN DPWI provides and manages accommodation and integrated property services for provincial government departments.

Duma said that the RTI Pinetown Licensing and Testing Centre was also affected and is using a generator to provide back-up power. 

The following services face possible disruption:

• Conversion and registration of new number plates.
• New Learners and Driving.
• Renewals of driver's licences.
• Renewals of Professional Driving Permit (PRDP) and card collections.

In response to the disruptions, the department said people have the option of using the municipality-run offices of Verulam and Winklespruit, situated at the Kingsburgh Sizakala Centre, for both driver's and motor vehicle transactions, as well as the Ballito and Umhlanga offices for motor vehicle transactions. 

The DoT said that the Verulam and Winklespruit motor licensing offices offer change of ownership transactions on weekdays and on Saturdays. 

According to the DPWI-KZN, the Acting Head of Department, Dr Vish Govender, is leading ongoing talks with relevant municipalities, which are at an advanced stage.

“The payment of rates remains a priority for KZN Public Works and Infrastructure, as it also affects the operation of departments. Once an agreement has been reached, this will be officially communicated. We anticipate this will be soon,” Govender said. 

The eThekwini Municipality’s Revenue Management monthly report to council stated that the total debt owed to the municipality was R42 billion at the end of October 2025.

The report noted that government and parastatals' accounts amount to R2 billion, while provincial departments owe R1.6 billion. 

As of the end of October 2025, the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Public Works had accrued a total debt of R520 million. This figure includes the annual rates levied for the new 2025/26 financial year, and the full amount was due by the end of October 2025.

The municipality stated that a disconnection notice had been sent to the DPWI-KZN. 

A driving school instructor, who wished to remain anonymous, said he could not take his clients to the Rossburgh test centre since Monday.

He said a meeting was held on Wednesday, where the driving schools put forth their concerns to officials. The instructor said tests could resume from 12pm on Thursday. 

“They have generators, but there is no water supply. The bookings for tests were also delayed and cost us revenue,” he said.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za