The ongoing saga of driver’s licence renewal in South Africa has taken yet another dramatic twist.
This time, the Auditor-General (AG) has flagged major concerns about irregularities in the appointment of a new supplier for licence card printing.
The company at the center of the controversy? French firm Idemia Identity and Security—already known for its involvement in previous tender issues with the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA).
Idemia was set to take over the production of driver’s licences, as well as the implementation of the new digital Driver’s Licence Card Accounts (DLCAs).
However, according to the AG’s findings, the bidding process was not handled fairly, with criteria not applied consistently across all applicants.
This revelation has now placed the entire tender under scrutiny, delaying the already problematic licence renewal process even further.
No Money Spent Yet, but the Future Is Uncertain
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has responded to the AG’s findings, stating that no funds have been allocated yet to this new licensing system.
However, should the department decide to move forward with Idemia, it would be considered irregular expenditure due to the inconsistencies in the tender process.
Essentially, the government is caught in a difficult position—either proceed and risk backlash for irregular spending or scrap the tender and face financial penalties for cancellation.
To navigate this dilemma, Minister Creecy is now seeking guidance from the High Court on the best course of action.
Until a legal decision is made, the contract remains in limbo.
Decades-Old Printing Machine Struggles to Keep Up
As the legal battle plays out, South Africa’s only driver’s licence card-printing machine continues to struggle under the pressure.
This aging machine—decades old and prone to frequent breakdowns—has already caused severe backlogs for motorists waiting on renewed licences.
The Department of Transport has acknowledged the issue and is looking into temporary solutions.
Among the proposed stopgap measures are ramping up maintenance efforts on the current machine and issuing temporary licences to affected drivers.
However, without a long-term solution, these efforts may only provide short-lived relief.
A Step Towards Accountability
Despite the frustration, the Automobile Association (AA) has welcomed the department’s decision to seek legal clarity, calling it a step towards transparency and accountability in government procurement.
The AA has long advocated for fair and open processes when awarding contracts related to driver’s licence renewals.