Cape prices itself out of vehicle licensing market

RAY SMUTS
FED UP with the Western Cape’s horrendous and inexplicable annual licensing fees, almost twice higher than any other province, many commercial and industrial concerns and the private sector are cocking a snoot at renewal notices by simply licensing vehicles elsewhere. Albert Schuitmaker, executive director of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says licensing in another province is simple. All that is required is a branch office or head office address. By way of example, Telkom, which deploys a large fleet in the Western Cape, licenses all its vehicles in the Eastern Cape at a considerable saving. The matter of high fees was raised by the Chamber with provincial transport authorities more than a year ago, which could be the reason for zero increases this year, in Schuitmaker’s view. “Western Cape fees are ridiculous, much too high, and in a number of categories twice that of other provinces. I believe the fees should be brought more in line with those of other provinces.” Thabo Tsholetsane, head of the National Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), says each province determines its own fees, 80% going to central government.
Annual fees applicable in various provinces 500kg 12 000kg WESTERN CAPE: R252 R16 500 MPUMALANGA: R180 R10 200 KWAZULU-NATAL: R168 R13 200 FREE STATE: R160 R10 500 EASTERN CAPE: R156 R8 950 GAUTENG: R144 R8 500 NORTHERN CAPE: R129 R10 200 NORTHWEST: R127 R9 600 LIMPOPO: R112 R 10 300