Transport dept on the brink of receiving new driver's licence card machine to speed up printing
In May, Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga said the department was at the tail end of procuring a new machine from France set to release licence cards within 5 working days.
Sindisiwe Chikunga. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Transport says it is making inroads to deliver new driver's licence card and printing equipment for the country.
In May, Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga said that the department was at the tail end of procuring a new machine from France, set to release licence cards within five working days - nine days faster than the current system.
“I can tell you now that before the end of this month, we will be printing new driving licences, and we will launch at least the first 100 per province.”
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 had been completed.
Spokesperson Collen Msibi said the audit process was 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."