LETTER: Frustrated traffic trainee feels betrayed
Letter to the Editor
Traffic trainee frustration: While traffic officers continue to serve on the roads, 32 Northern Cape trainees who completed a remedial course say they are still waiting for employment.
Image: File picture
Dear Sir,
I am one of the 32 traffic trainees who completed a remedial training course in Welkom in June 2025, under the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison.
We were required to pay for this course ourselves — many of us went into personal debt, as did our parents, believing the department’s promise that successful completion would lead to employment as traffic officers. The DFA even reported on our training earlier this year, raising hopes that our future was secure.
Instead of appointment letters, we were handed only our certificates and told to “go look for work elsewhere”. The department has not even collected the state-issued uniforms we still hold, and has failed to respond to the media about our plight. The Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, is aware of this matter but has not intervened.
This feels like a waste of public funds and a betrayal of unemployed youth who trusted a government programme meant to empower us. We urge those in power to answer: why were we made to pay for training that led nowhere, and when will accountability follow?
Yours sincerely,
Concerned Trainee
DFA Note
In response to a DFA media enquiry, the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison stated that it would not be responding publicly, as “the 33 learners took the matter to the CCMA. In essence, the matter is sub judice. We will respond to the matter at the CCMA.”
The Office of the Premier also confirmed that the matter of the 32 trainees is currently being handled by Popcru and has been taken to the CCMA. “The Premier has advised the department to participate and co-operate with the CCMA on this matter. Therefore, it is advisable to await the outcome of the process before commenting on the issue,” said media liaison officer Naledi Gaosekwe.
* Letters are very lightly edited for clarity and to comply with the DFA’s style.
** The DFA encourages diverse perspectives on issues affecting our community. The views expressed in this letter are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the DFA or its staff.
Editor’s note: The photographs accompanying this letter were supplied by the trainee who submitted the letter.
Certificate of Competence: One of the 32 trainees’ official certificates from the Matjhabeng Traffic Training Academy, confirming successful completion of the NQF Level 4 Road Traffic Law Enforcement course.
Image: Suppled
Traffic trainees at a graduation ceremony: The group of Northern Cape traffic trainees who completed the remedial course earlier this year. Many say they remain unemployed despite promises of placement following their training.
Image: Supplied
Uniforms without duty: Some of the official Northern Cape Provincial Traffic uniforms that were issued to trainees who completed the remedial course. Months later, the 32 graduates remain unemployed — still apparently in possession of state-issued gear that was never collected.
Image: Supplied
Graduates are still apparently in possession of state-issued gear that was never collected.
Image: Supplied
Graduates are still apparently in possession of state-issued gear that was never collected.
Image: Supplied
Graduates are still apparently in possession of state-issued gear that was never collected.
Image: Supplied
Graduates are still apparently in possession of state-issued gear that was never collected.
Image: Supplied
Graduates are still apparently in possession of state-issued gear that was never collected.
Image: Supplied
Graduates are still apparently in possession of state-issued gear that was never collected.
Image: Supplied
Graduates are still apparently in possession of state-issued gear that was never collected.
Image: Supplied
Graduates are still apparently in possession of state-issued gear that was never collected.
Image: Supplied