Court cancels R898 million driving licence card tender
The Gauteng North High Court has declared the appointment of French company Idemia as the preferred bidder
Image: File
The Gauteng North High Court has declared the appointment of French company Idemia as the preferred bidder for South Africa’s new smart driving licence card machines tender unlawful and invalid.
The court said the tender, valued at about R898 million, was awarded in a way that did not follow proper procedures and must be cancelled and re-advertised within 30 days. The court also found that the procurement process did not comply with required regulations and included irregularities identified by the Auditor-General.
In a statement released to the media, the Department of Transport said the court ruling vindicates the department’s commitment to transparency and clean governance.
"The court’s declaratory order is based on the Department’s court application following the findings of the AGSA that pointed out irregularities in the tender process.
"Reacting to the court’s declaratory order, Minister Creecy stated that the court outcome is a vindication of the Department’s commitment to the transparency and legitimacy of tender processes with the decision to approach the court for guidance on the matter as a necessary step for effective regulation"
The department added that while a new service provider is being sought through the re-advertised tender, it has been allowed to temporarily outsource the printing and issuing of driving licence cards.
"Pending the appointment of a successful service provider under the re-advertised tender, the Department has also been allowed by the court to outsource the services of printing and issuing of driving license (cards) to the Department of Home Affairs"
It also revealed that the backlog of driving licence cards, which built up after a breakdown of the printing machine earlier last year, has been cleared.
"The State Security Agency has approved the prototype driving licence card designed by the Government Printing Works (GPW). The establishment of the network connection between the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and GPW was successfully tested. This will allow the transfer of data/files required by GPW to print the driving license cards".
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
IOL Business