The South African government has revealed that the manufacturing of three new machines used for the production of driver’s licences will cost approximately R1 billion. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy disclosed this in a written Parliamentary reply, emphasizing that the current machines have reached the end of their operational lifespans and need urgent replacement.
The new machines, each priced at R334 million, are intended to modernize the country’s driver’s licence production process. However, the high cost has sparked calls for greater transparency. Rise Mzansi MP, Makashule Gana, who raised the question in Parliament, urged the government to be open and transparent regarding the procurement process and the progress of the machine production.
“As Rise Mzansi, we are calling on the Minister of Transport to take the nation into her confidence and be transparent, without interfering with the work of the bidding committee,” Gana stated. He further noted that the public has not received an update on the matter for over three months, since the last communication on June 10, 2024.
Gana’s comments reflect growing concerns about how the government plans to manage the costly procurement of the machines. He urged Minister Creecy to provide timely updates to the public to ensure accountability and openness in the process.
The new machines are expected to play a critical role in addressing the backlog and inefficiencies in the current driver’s licence production system, but the substantial cost has left many questioning whether the expenditure will be justified by the improvements in service delivery. All eyes are now on the government for further clarification and progress on the acquisition of these machines.