Transport Dept says making inroads to deliver new driver's licence card, printing equipment

Source: EWN Traffic
Author: Mongezi Koko

JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Transport says it's making inroads to deliver a new driver's licence card and printing equipment for the country.

In May, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said that the department was at the tail end of procuring a new machine from France that is set to release license cards within 5 working days, which will be 9 days faster than the current system.

"I can tell you now that before the end of this month, we will be printing new driving licenses and we will launch at least the first hundred per province and we have said that"

Having missed its own deadline by a few days, the department said the progress made comes amid challenges of finding suitable service providers.

It said the evaluation and adjudication of the bids has been completed.

Department of Transport spokesperson Collen Msibi said the audit process is the only hurdle standing in the way of the department delivering the new cards and machines.

"The department cannot finalise the bid process until the above is completed. The department pleads for patience as it is prohibited by law not to poke its nose into the affairs of the bidding committees.

"In compliance with the rules and regulations on tender processes, the department can therefore not be characterised as lacking transparency. The department will pronounce on this matter when all processes have been completed."