Call for Transport Minister to suspend penalties for motorists amid driving licence backlog
Image: File photo: INLSA
The Department of Transport is facing mounting pressure to address a significant backlog of driving licence cards, currently standing at 690,000, following the breakdown of its sole card-printing machine in April.
As the department works to reduce this backlog, which has decreased by approximately 43,000 from the previously reported 733,000, stakeholders are urging Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to waive fines for motorists affected by the delays.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse's (Outa) Advocate Stefanie Fick on Tuesday wrote to Creecy and asked her to consider announcing a moratorium on fines related to expired driver's licence cards for motorists who have already applied for renewals, and that no temporary licences should be required until all backlogs have been cleared.
She also requested the department to consider issuing public communication of this moratorium through all official channels, including the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), provincial traffic authorities and traditional and social media.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
Fick added that the department must provide clarity to all enforcement officials to prevent unwarranted fines and harassment of motorists.
Department of Transport spokesperson, Collin Msibi, confirmed it received the letter which is being processed internally for the Minister's attention.
Fick said it was important to note that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the department recognised the exceptional circumstances and issued blanket extensions on the validity of expired driver's licences, allowing the public reasonable leeway while the system was caught up.
She said this temporary relief was an example of fair, compassionate governance in the face of operational disruption.
'We urge the department to take a similar approach now, especially given that this crisis stems from internal systemic failures rather than a national emergency,' Fick said.
Creecy recently revealed that the department spent over R12 million on the repair and maintenance of the printing machine over the past three years.
The department has been trying to procure another machine for years, but repeatedly cancelled and reissued the tender.
In August last year, the department announced that it had appointed Idemia and Security South Africa as the preferred bidder for a tender to print new driving licence smart cards.
However, Outa's investigation uncovered irregularities and handed the report to Creecy, who in turn passed it to the Auditor-General (AG).
In March, Creecy announced that the AG investigation identified instances of non-compliance with the required procurement procedures, and added that she instructed her department to lodge a High Court application for a declaratory order regarding the tender.
Fick said Outa is still waiting for clarity on the contract process.
Cape Argus
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
11 hours ago
- IOL News
Infrastructure damage to blame for disuse of refurbished trains, says Minister Creecy
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed that Prasa was considering the cancellation of contracts linked to the R7.5 billion train refurbishment project of its coaches. Image: GCIS Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has attributed the disuse of trains refurbished by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) to infrastructure damage caused by theft and vandalism that affected the railway lines where the old fleet could be used. Creecy said Prasa has embarked on a rebuilding and recovery programme to revitalise the lines and introduce new trains in the recovered lines. 'The old fleet trains may be best utilised in lines and corridors that are mainly outside the metros. Most of these lines are owned by Transnet, and Prasa is in discussion with Transnet on the recovery of these lines for use to transport passengers,' she said. Some of the refurbished old fleet trains are being used in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, said Creecy when responding to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Omphile Maotwe. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Her response comes after Prasa spent R2.5 billion of the R7.5 billion of the General Overhaul Project to refurbish the old grey-and-yellow rolling stock. In June, Prasa told the Portfolio Committee on Transport it has no plans to spend the remaining R5 billion on the refurbishment of the coaches. Creecy revealed that a total of 272 coaches have been refurbished to date. 'About 183 refurbished coaches have not yet been deployed to operations. There are no coaches that have been refurbished that have been discarded,' she said. According to Creecy, Prasa is reviewing the use of the refurbished trains. This could result in internal use of the coaches, leasing to private companies as part of reform in the rail sector and selling to potential buyers within the SADC. Prasa was looking into options to utilise coaches hauled by diesel locomotives on non-electrified lines, optimise operations in the Eastern Cape by introducing more train services, and partner with other organs of state to repurpose some of the refurbished coaches. 'Once completed, the review will be processed for consideration by the board and shareholders,' Creecy said. Meanwhile, the minister confirmed that Prasa was considering the cancellation of contracts linked to the R7.5 billion train refurbishment project of its coaches. Creecy said Prasa was undertaking an option analysis to determine the best way forward with regard to the general overhaul contracts. 'Prasa has sought legal advice on the matter.' Creecy also said her department was working closely with Prasa to ensure that the options analysis supports the long-term goals of rebuilding a reliable, affordable, and accessible public rail system. She was responding to a different set of questions from Maotwe when she asked what legal advice had been sought from Prasa regarding the potential financial and contractual consequences of the cancellation of the contracts. Maotwe also enquired about the risk assessment that has been conducted to determine the possible legal claims and liabilities Prasa could face from contractors of the contracts that were terminated, as well as the impact of the cancellation of the contracts on the rail industry, public funds already spent, and the future viability of commuter rail services. Creecy said the risk assessment, which included evaluating potential legal claims and liabilities arising from possible contract termination, is currently being concluded. 'This forms part of wider options aimed at guiding Prasa's decision in a legally and financially sound manner.' The impact study on the implications for the rail industry, public funds already invested, and the future viability of commuter rail services was being finalised. Creecy said the findings will be integrated into a comprehensive options analysis to ensure that any decisions taken are informed and aligned with broader strategic objectives. 'No decision has been made that will impact the alignment with long-term goals of rebuilding a reliable, affordable, and accessible public rail system,' she said.
The Citizen
17 hours ago
- The Citizen
Violence in transport sector sparks government response
The Department of Transport has condemned the violence and criminality that claimed the life of an e-hailing driver and left two others injured during an incident at Maponya Mall, Soweto, on Wednesday. In a statement on Thursday, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa expressed their condolences to the bereaved family and reiterated that such behaviour has no place in South Africa's public transport sector. 'Those responsible must face the full might of the law,' the department said. ALSO READ: One dead in suspected taxi violence at Maponya Mall According to reports, violence broke out at the popular Soweto mall, allegedly involving taxi operators and e-hailing drivers. Gauteng police have since been monitoring a protest by community members outside the shopping centre. Tackling the root causes of violence The department said it is working to address the broader challenges affecting the public transport system, with persistent violence at the top of the agenda. At a meeting held on 25 April 2025, Minister Creecy and leaders of the taxi industry jointly denounced violence and agreed to establish a task team between the National and Gauteng Provincial Departments of Transport. ALSO READ: WATCH: Community protests after the death and injuries of e-hailing drivers The team's priority is to fast-track the digitisation of operating licence applications to resolve route encroachment disputes — a major cause of taxi-related violence. Industry leaders have been asked to reflect on the matter and submit concrete proposals to government. Reforms and legislation The Department of Transport is also implementing the National Land Transport Information System (NLTIS), which will link operating licences to the National Traffic Information System (eNATIS) and prevent the unlawful use of a single licence for multiple vehicles. Meanwhile, legislative changes are paving the way for greater regulation of e-hailing services. In 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law amendments to the National Land Transport Act (NLTA) of 2009, enabling e-hailing operators to apply for licences like other public transport providers. ALSO READ: Gauteng MEC to visit Maponya Mall to assess ongoing tensions in public transport sector The President also signed the Transport Appeal Tribunal Amendment Act in June 2024. The regulations have been approved and are awaiting translation into a second official language before gazetting and implementation. 'This will usher in a new era in the regulation of e-hailing services,' the department said.
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Tourism industry raises alarm over leadership turmoil in South African Tourism Board
SA Tourism CEO, Nombulelo Guliwe, a qualified Chartered Accountant, was appointed to the CEO position for a five-year period in February 2024 following a comprehensive recruitment process. Image: Supplied The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) - the umbrella organisation representing businesses in the hospitality, travel, and tourism sector - has voiced serious concerns over recent upheavals within the board of South African Tourism (SA Tourism). This comes after the SA Tourism board on Thursday placed CEO Nombulelo Guliwe on precautionary suspension effective immediately, following serious allegations of misconduct. Leadership instability at the national tourism agency responsible for marketing the country as a preferred tourist destination comes just a month before one of South Africa's biggest tourism conferences hosted by TBCSA. In a statement on Friday, TBCSA highlighted Guliwe's reported suspension and the resignation of board chairperson, Professor Gregory Davids, last month as glaring concerns. Compounding worries for the tourism industry, there are discussions around the potential dissolution of the board itself. These developments come at a time when the tourism sector is still in a precarious state of recovery following the tumultuous impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. TBCSA said it was alarmed by the leadership instability as it could derail significant progress made in revitalising the tourism market. "These matters are deeply troubling as the sector is still in recovery mode," said TBCSA chairman, Jerry Mabena. "The TBCSA calls on the Minister, Hon. Patricia de Lille, to urgently address these matters. The TBCSA further stands in support of the work of the ministry and department in ensuring that tourism programs are not delayed or adversely affected." In light of these circumstances, the TBCSA called upon the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, to take swift action in addressing these pressing issues. The organisation expressed unwavering support for the Ministry and the department's efforts in ensuring that existing tourism programmes continue unabated and are not hindered by the ongoing uncertainties. Looking ahead, the TBCSA said it plans to engage with other key tourism stakeholders, including the board of SA Tourism, in the coming week in a bid to discuss strategies to collectively support the organisation during this turbulent period. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Meanwhile, De Lille's office declared the board's decision null and void since it no longer has a chairperson nor a deputy chairperson. In a brief statement in response to this suspension, the department said De Lille has noted the decision by the board and said it was "unlawful". "As of 31 July 2025, the South African Tourism Board does not have a board chairperson following the resignation of Professor Gregory Davids. This means, the board in its current form is not properly constituted to take such a resolution," said the department. "Minister de Lille, remains committed to ensuring the adherence to sound governance principles at South African Tourism and will address the above with the board." Guliwe, a qualified Chartered Accountant, was appointed to the CEO position for a five-year period in February 2024 following a comprehensive recruitment process. In nearly 10 years with the organisation, Guliwe has served in various leadership roles throughout her career including chief financial officer at SA Tourism since August 2019. Under Guliwe's tenure, SA Tourism was recently plunged into a tender scandal after allegations of irregularities in the awarding of a R100 million tender to Pomme Express. Pomme Express was reported to have failed to show proof of experience and alleged to have provided false and misleading information in its bid toorganise Meetings Africa 2025 and Africa's Travel Indaba 2025. While in the position of action CEO, Guliwe was accused by a group of SA Tourism employees of bullying and enforcing a culture of intimidation and intimidation, but the board at the time dismissed those allegations as baseless.
