The production of South Africa’s new driver’s licence cards is under threat after the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) presented damning evidence suggesting the tender was awarded unethically.
The Department of Transport now faces the possibility of cancelling the contract, potentially delaying the much-needed rollout of the revamped cards.
OUTA alleges that the tender process was riddled with irregularities, including favouritism and non-compliance with procurement policies. This revelation has sparked public outcry, with many questioning the department’s ability to manage such a critical project transparently.
The new cards, designed to replace the ageing system, were expected to bring South Africa in line with international standards.
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The plan was to begin issuing them in November 2023, but these new allegations could derail that timeline.
Should the tender be cancelled, it would mean starting the procurement process from scratch, leading to significant delays and costing taxpayers millions. OUTA has urged the government to prioritise accountability and ensure a fair, corruption-free process for selecting a new service provider.
Meanwhile, South Africans are left wondering if the transition to the new cards will ever happen. The current driver’s licence system is already plagued by inefficiencies, with extended waiting times and frequent machine breakdowns.
The introduction of the new cards was seen as a chance to fix these long-standing issues.
The Department of Transport has yet to respond to OUTA’s claims or announce its course of action. For now, it’s a waiting game to see whether justice and transparency will prevail in this critical matter.
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