Oudtshoorn, 12 August 2025 – The Oudtshoorn Municipality officially opened the newly upgraded Traffic and Law Enforcement building on Wednesday, 06 August 2025. This much-anticipated expansion is to improve municipal service delivery to the residents of the Greater Oudtshoorn area.
According to Chief Traffic Officer Donovan Saptoe, the upgrade is a substantial improvement on the previous facility. The existing structure has been expanded to include additional office space, now accommodating both the Traffic and Law Enforcement departments under one roof for the first time.
The total cost of the upgrade amounted to approximately R2.2 million, fully funded by the municipality. This upgrade is part of the municipality’s continued efforts to improve its facilities and make important services more accessible to the public.
“This upgrade allows for better integration of services,” said Saptoe. “Law Enforcement, which was previously not part of the building, is now permanently based here. This will significantly improve service delivery and reduce response times to public concerns.”
As part of the expansion, two additional cashier counters have been introduced to assist with increased client volumes and improve efficiency. The building has also been designed with user-friendliness in mind, reducing long queues and improving the overall experience for visitors.
“This department can get extremely busy, and we understand how frustrating it can be for the public,” added Saptoe. “We believe the improved layout and additional personnel will help ease pressure and create a more positive interaction between officials and the community.”
Executive Deputy Mayor Alderman Mziwoxolo Tyatya officially opened the facility, welcoming everyone and emphasising the municipality’s dedication to efficient, effective service. “This new building is built to serve our people better and ensure shorter queues than before,” he remarked.
Councillor Tiemie, Mayco Member and Portfolio Chair of Community Services, also praised the project, thanking everyone who contributed to turning this vision into reality.
Municipal Manager of the Greater Oudtshoorn, Mkhululi Yekani, said in his speech that this upgraded facility is a significant milestone. “This is not just a building, it’s a tool that empowers our traffic and law enforcement officers to enforce by-laws more effectively and improve road safety.” Yekani further said, “ Let us work together so that we can build a safer and better community.”
Magdalene Phillips, Chief Law Enforcement, thanked the community and staff who had endured inconvenience while the project was ongoing. “We look forward to our new journey with traffic and law enforcement in one building, working together as a joint team.”
The Oudtshoorn Municipality remains optimistic about potential further upgrades in the near future as part of its continuous efforts to improve the quality of municipal services.
Issued by the Media & Communication Department of the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality on 12 August 2025.