A computer failure at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport (DoT) that left abnormal load operators stranded without permits has been resolved.
Several operators confirmed to Freight News that the department’s systems were now fully functional and operations had resumed as normal.
Abnormal loads are only permitted to move within a province once the provincial DoT has issued the necessary permit.
These are ordinarily processed daily, but the system outage in KwaZulu-Natal had extended turnaround times to as long as eight days, bringing operators to their knees with mounting costs and an inability to keep vehicles moving or fulfil contracts.
“We were informed on Friday that the issue had been resolved and that the office was up and running again,” said one operator, who preferred to remain anonymous.
“There was also a backlog of at least 170 permits, but the DoT undertook to work through the weekend to clear it.”
New applications were only accepted from Monday morning.
