Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
11 December 2024 | 09:42  CAT

OUTA highlights inefficiencies in South Africa’s driver’s license system, calling for urgent reforms to address corruption and outdated infrastructure.

The Organization Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) warns that South Africa’s driver’s license card issuing system has reached a breaking point. Persistent delays, malfunctions, and inefficiencies have frustrated millions of motorists, exacerbating a systemic crisis.

In an interview with Radio Islam International, OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenhage highlights a key issue: the country’s reliance on a single, outdated card-printing machine. “This machine has been breaking down frequently, creating extensive backlogs. People are forced to get temporary licenses while waiting for their permanent cards. It’s an inconvenience that South Africans shouldn’t have to endure,” Duvenhage stated during a recent interview.

The Department of Transport, plagued by administrative mismanagement and corruption allegations, has yet to implement long-overdue upgrades. A new driver’s license card system, promised over five years ago, has been delayed due to tender irregularities. “Manipulated procurement processes and conflicts of interest are stalling progress,” Duvenhage added, noting that the latest tender process left a single bidder with an exorbitant price tag.

Motorists also face additional hurdles during renewal, including non-functional eye-testing equipment at testing centres. This forces individuals to seek private optometrists, adding financial strain, particularly on the poor. “The poorest of the poor are now spending R250 or more on eye tests that should be free,” Duvenhage said.

OUTA has proposed a series of measures to address the crisis, including:

• Introducing a second card-printing machine for backup.
• Increasing the license validity period from five to ten years reduces pressure on the system.
• Enhancing transparency and accountability in procurement processes.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), now overseeing the Driver’s License Card Account, faces criticism for its lack of transparency. Meanwhile, Minister Barbara Creecy, tasked with reviving the dysfunctional department, inherits a complex web of issues spanning transport infrastructure, licensing systems, and enforcement agencies.

Duvenhage concluded with a stark warning: “This crisis is a symptom of a government out of touch with its role. If corruption and inefficiency persist, South Africans will continue paying the price.”

The public eagerly awaits reforms to alleviate these burdens and restore confidence in the system.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up here.