Gridlock in Pietermaritzburg as over 7000 applicants vie for 200 traffic officer posts

Inside Metros Reporter

Traffic in Pietermaritzburg was severely congested on Monday, with several routes at a standstill, as more than 7 000 applicants converged on the Royal Showgrounds to sit an assessment for 200 Trainee Provincial Inspector posts.

The provincial transport department said it had received more than 34 000 applications.

The response, said the department, was an indication that there was strong interest in joining the province’s “highly energetic and efficient” Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI).

It said it was encouraged by the show of unity as parents, relatives, friends and community members rallied behind applicants “who want to be part of building a prosperous KwaZulu-Natal”.

Officials apologised to motorists, residents, and workers who were inconvenienced by the increased traffic and thanked the Umsunduzi Traffic Department and other stakeholders for helping to minimise congestion.

The department said there was a smooth flow of applicants inside the showgrounds, with marshals managing