I went to renew my driver’s licence recently at the Florida Driver’s Licence and Testing Centre.
As I drove in the direction of the Department, I was shown where to park by a group of young men. The last time I was there (about five years ago), it was utter chaos and we were helped by these young men to get photos.
They asked me what I needed and informed me that they would be able to assist me without a copy of my Identity Document, but would need R650 to get an update. I gave the money to them.
They returned, this time asking for R3 000 for unpaid fines. This is when I realised that I was being scammed, so I asked them to accompany me inside the building, resulting in them disappearing.
The staff inside were as unhelpful as ever. I spoke to the one and only security guard who was courteous but said nothing could be done. The scammers were operating right in front of him.
I went to Florida Police Station, where they listened to my story and said that the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department should be dealing with it. Everyone acted like it was my fault and brought it to my attention that there were signs outside warning people.
The police said there was no point in opening a case, and wouldn’t accept that a crime had been committed. I had given them the money.
I recently had a back operation and can’t stand for long periods. I’m also a pensioner, and really could not afford to lose that money. And now I don’t have enough to pay for the licence.
What a sorry state this country is in.
