South Africa’s only driver’s licence card printing machine — which broke down in February — is still out of action, and Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed the Department is racing to get it running by 12 May.
Speaking on Clement Manyathela’s Face the Nation on SABC, Creecy called the saga “frustrating” and admitted the situation has caused “enormous inconvenience” to South Africans, many of whom are driving around with temporary licences and receipts.
“This is a suboptimal situation,” she said. “I really understand that people are irritated.”
The Minister explained that the Department is doing everything it can to repair the outdated machine, which has been in service since around 1998.
However, the bigger issue lies in the stalled procurement of a new machine.
The Auditor-General flagged irregularities in the contract awarded for a replacement, forcing the Department to seek a court ruling before they can move forward.
“In the meantime, we are also looking at a temporary solution because we’re concerned about the growing backlog,” Creecy said.
She added that details about this interim measure will be announced once finalised.
Motorists have a three-month grace period after their card expires, provided they carry proof of application and payment.
But many remain uneasy, worried about fines and potential hassles at roadblocks.
For now, SA drivers are stuck in limbo — waiting for a decades-old machine to cough back to life while red tape delays a long-overdue upgrade.
Let’s hope the May deadline holds.
Otherwise, Mzansi drivers might need more than just patience — they’ll need a miracle.
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