Transport Dept exploring temporary solutions after driving licence printing machine tender deemed irregular

JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Transport says it’s exploring temporary solutions after the tender to purchase a new printing machine for drivers' licences was deemed irregular by the Auditor General (AG).  

On Wednesday, the AG’s office released its interim report on the R486 million contract awarded to a French-based technology giant, IDEMIA.  

The AG said the department flouted several procurement processes when it awarded the tender.

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The Department of Transport wants a High Court order to set aside the IDEMIA tender.  

This means South Africans will wait longer for a new driving licence printing machine.  

The department said the current one must be replaced because it is old and prone to malfunction.

At the same time, the CEO of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), Wayne Duvenage, said the replacement process must be above board.  

“We cannot allow people to conduct themselves in this nonchalant way, costing the taxpayers millions in these irregularities.”  

The AG said the government has not paid any money to IDEMIA yet.