The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has come under fire for allegedly misleading the South African public about the true reasons behind its decision not to extend the validity period of driving licence cards, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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Furthermore, South Africa’s sole driving licence card printing machine, now around 26 years old, is well overdue for replacement by about 15 years.
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In a statement issued on Wednesday, 14 August 2024, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) sharply criticised the RTMC for misleading the public.
According to MyBroadband, Outa accused the RTMC of disregarding its 2022 research, which had recommended extending the validity period to eight years, and instead justifying its decision with unsubstantiated claims of alternative research.
In July 2024, the civil action organisation requested the RTMC and the Department of Transport (DoT) provide the two reports they relied on for their decision regarding the driving licence validity issue.
The RTMC initially withheld the 2022 report, “Driving Licence Card Validity Period Review,” but has now provided it to Outa.
RTMC CEO Makhosini Msibi based his claim that the validity period wouldn’t be extended on a second, undisclosed report linking road accidents to ‘communicable and other diseases.’
The RTMC cited ongoing research as the reason for not disclosing the report, but the DoT informed Outa that no such research exists.
‘It is clear that the RTMC is deliberately misleading the public on its so-called reason not to extend the driving licence card validity period,’ says Stefanie Fick, Outa’s executive director.
‘Outa now questions the motives of the RTMC, as the ultimate decision to extend the validity period lies with the Minister of Transport, who in turn should not be influenced by an entity with vested financial interests in the decision.’
She added that Outa considers Msibi’s claim about ‘communicable and other diseases’ absurd and unsupported by any factual evidence.
Outa is worried that the RTMC’s refusal to extend validity is tied to the tender process for a new card printing machine and potential profits from reprinting cards every five years.
They also highlighted that the Driving Licence Card Validity Period Review by Zutari recommends extending the validity to eight years for light vehicles and maintaining a five-year period for heavy vehicles.
‘The average driving licence card validity period of almost ten years in more developed countries, with much better road safety ratios, highly motivates and validates a longer renewal period in line with international best practice,’ it reads.
‘However, blindly assuming international practice without critically contrasting South Africa’s context with these countries would be potentially damaging to the driving licence system and road safety in the country.’
A major issue with South Africa’s driving licence system is its reliance on a single, outdated printing machine, in use since 1998 and overdue for replacement.
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While a new machine and card are being procured, the process has been fraught with delays and confusion.
Former transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga missed the April 2024 deadline to start printing new cards, and the department has yet to award the tender for the machine.
Previous minister Fikile Mbalula’s plans for a new printer, cards, and potential validity extension were never implemented, leaving the system in disarray.
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Picture: Jacques Stander / Gallo