By Burnett Munthali

The persistent issue of network failures continues to disrupt services at some branches of the Road Traffic Directorate, making it difficult for people to obtain or renew their driving licenses. This situation has left many citizens frustrated, as they are unable to complete essential transactions due to the technical challenges affecting the system.

For instance, in some offices in the southern region of Malawi, individuals seeking to register, renew, or replace their driving licenses have been unable to proceed because the system cannot capture the necessary photographs. Without this crucial step, applications cannot be processed, forcing applicants to return home empty-handed.

Several individuals who were found at one of the affected Road Traffic offices expressed their frustration, stating that they had been making repeated visits since last week, hoping to complete their applications. However, due to the ongoing network problems, they were continuously turned away, with no clear indication of when the issue would be resolved.

This situation persists despite an earlier announcement by the Road Traffic Directorate that its systems had been repaired. The department had assured the public that, starting from the 24th of the previous month, all services would be running smoothly. Unfortunately, reality has proven otherwise, as network failures remain a major hindrance to efficient service delivery.

Many applicants are now calling on the authorities to urgently address the technical problems, as the delays are affecting their ability to drive legally. Some have even reported incurring financial losses, especially those who rely on their driving licenses for work.

As the problem drags on, the public is left wondering whether the Road Traffic Directorate has effective measures in place to handle such technical disruptions in the future. Until a permanent solution is found, the frustration of Malawians seeking driving licenses is likely to continue.