The Automobile Association (AA) has expressed concern over the Department of Transport’s lack of transparency in acquiring equipment for new smart card driving licences. The AA insists that citizens deserve to know the details and costs of this process.

This follows last week’s statement by the department, indicating that progress in securing the equipment – despite challenges in finding a “suitable service provider”.

The AA, however, is questioning these challenges and the role of the Government Printing Works (GPW), which has expertise in printing secure documents like national ID cards.

The AA’s Layton Beard says in response to the AA inquiries, the department said legal requirements mandated a fair and transparent tender process following Cabinet’s approval of the card design, which did not favour any specific service provider.

“The Automobile Association would like to establish to what extent the Government Printing Works – whose mandate it is to print sensitive national security documents – was involved in the procurement process for the new smartcard driving licenses. The GPW has proven technical expertise to print cards such as these, as it already prints the national ID cards.”

But Beard doubts the transparency and efficiency of this process, suggesting that not utilising GPW’s capabilities wastes time and resources.

“For us, not involving the GPW seems counterproductive. As an organ of state, the Department of Transport is bypassing another organ of state to go to tender.”

Beard says the department has to find the best solution at the best cost to South Africans and explain to citizens how it is doing so.

In its 8 June statement, the Transport department maintains it is on track to deliver the new cards and equipment, having evaluated bids from five companies. It says it is finalising the bid process, pending standard audit procedures.

Driving licences validity period

Meanwhile, the AA is also calling for clarity on the extension of the driving licenses’ validity period. It says in 2022, Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula indicated the research and input from stakeholders supporting the extension to either eight or 10 years.  The AA however claims the proposal has not been presented to Cabinet as yet.

It has urged the department to explain the delay and address past issues with license card delivery.