MEC's Easter gift for motorists and taximen

CAPE Town motorists will have their cars checked for roadworthiness free of charge.

This service ranges between R500 and R700 around various testing centres in Cape Town.

Western Cape MEC for Mobility Ricardo Mackenzie said they partnered with private company Airport Vehicle Testing Centres (AVTS) and municipalities to ensure motorists get free testing ahead of their Easter holiday trips.

Mackenzie said he wants to ensure that people travel safely and arrive alive to their destinations.

The free testing is available at Gene Louw Traffic Training College in Brackenfell and Drakenstein Municipal Traffic Centres in Paarl.

AVTS has seven testing centres that will test vehicles for free. The centres are in Goodwood, Bellville, Lansdowne, Table View, Airport Industria and Strand.

Motorists and taxi drivers have welcomed the initiative, which they promised to use. 

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“This is a gift we got from the government because it means I don’t need to part ways with my hard-earned cash. Easter weekend is going to be busy for us, so having my vehicle checked for roadworthiness gives me confidence. I will make sure that I have two drivers for the holiday. When one is sleeping, the other one is driving,” said a taxi owner from the Goodwood area.

He said he had already taken his car for testing, and he fixed areas which the examiners told him to address.

Mackenzie has encouraged motorists to have their cars checked as it is good for their safety. 

“Please take this opportunity to check that your vehicle is roadworthy. Our aim is not to catch anyone out but to help detect potential problems before you take to the road for long-distance travel. We want you and your loved ones to travel safely over this holiday period,” said the MEC. 

Among other things, the roadworthy tests look at essential components such as tyres, brakes, lights, suspension, CV joints, electrical systems, exhaust, wipers and licence discs.