South Africa's driver’s licence card system is in a state of disrepair, a situation the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) describes as a complete mess. Years of headlines detailing broken machines and lengthy delays have culminated in a crisis, leaving motorists facing significant inconvenience and uncertainty. The root of the problem, it seems, lies not only in outdated technology but also in a deeply flawed tender process for a new printing system.
The current licence card printer, the nation's sole provider for over two decades, has a history of unreliability. It has reportedly broken down a staggering 159 times during its 26 years of operation, causing widespread disruption for citizens seeking to obtain or renew their licences. Former Transport Ministers Sindisiwe Chikunga and Fikile Mbalula both acknowledged the machine's obsolescence and the urgent need for modernisation. Mbalula, in 2022, highlighted the need for a revamped system as the solution to the ongoing debacle.
A plan to introduce a new, more secure driving licence card, featuring enhanced security features like watermarks and biometric data storage, was approved by Cabinet in August 2022. A tender was issued for a new printer to handle the production of these upgraded cards, with a three-year phased rollout planned from 2023 to 2026. However, these deadlines have been missed, and South Africans continue to grapple with the consequences of the ageing and unreliable printer.
The delays, it later emerged, are largely due to problems surrounding the tender process itself. The initial tender was withdrawn and re-issued in 2023, further delaying the much-needed upgrade. Minister Chikunga initially announced in April 2024 that the tender was nearing completion, with printing expected to commence by month's end. However, by June, it was revealed that the Department of Transport had only shortlisted five bidders and had yet to make a decision.
Finally, in September 2024, the Department announced the appointment of Idemia Identity and Security South Africa to produce the new driving licence cards. This announcement, however, was not without controversy. Idemia has been embroiled in previous disputes, raising concerns about potential malfeasance related to a prior biometric and digital identity technology project. These concerns prompted Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to request the Auditor-General to expand the scope of its audit into the tender process, prioritising the investigation given the significant backlog of licence applications and the critical condition of the existing printer.
OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage has voiced strong concerns about the process, welcoming the Auditor-General's investigation but expressing serious reservations about the DLCA's decision to award the contract to Idemia. Duvenage revealed that OUTA has obtained evidence suggesting that the project's cost escalated from the budgeted R468 million to a staggering R899 million.
The concerns extend beyond the budget. Duvenage highlighted irregularities, including multiple tenders issued for the same contract and alleged tampering with pricing envelopes in the bidding process. He stated, “We received information that at least one bidder was wrongly marked down on aspects for which it should have received additional points.” Furthermore, last-minute changes to the tender specifications, including supplier-specific technical requirements that seemingly favoured Idemia, have raised serious questions about the fairness and transparency of the process.
Duvenage criticised the lack of transparency surrounding the tender process and the excessive number of tenders issued. He expressed hope that the Auditor-General's investigation will shed light on the situation, informing the Minister's decision on whether to proceed with the award to Idemia or to initiate a new tender process. He emphasised the importance of accountability should the process need to be restarted.
The potential consequences of the Minister's decision are significant. Should she decide to award the tender to Idemia despite the concerns, Duvenage warned of potential legal action. “We will have to wait for the minister’s decision. We will have to contemplate our next steps if she does not do what we believe is right. It will most likely be litigious,” he stated. Regardless of the outcome, further delays in acquiring a new driver's licence card printing machine seem inevitable, resulting in continued inconvenience and frustration for South African motorists.
