The Department of Transport plans to roll out new smart driving licences with enhanced security features.Picture: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers / File
South Africa is set to receive new driving licence cards complete with enhanced security features, but the process of procuring a service provider has raised questions.
The Department of Transport announced this week that French technology company IDEMIA had been appointed as the preferred bidder to produce the new cards.
Although no time lines were given, nor any indication of whether the validity period of licences would be extended, the Department has said it expects to enter into a service level agreement with IDEMIA, in due course, to put in place the necessary infrastructure and systems.
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However, the Automobile Association has questioned the process of the French company’s appointment.
“In mid-June we posed several questions to the DoT in relation to this process, but we have so far not received any response,” the association said.
“Among the questions we asked were the level of involvement, if any, by the Government Printing Works (GPW) in the process of drafting and evaluating bidders, and why the GPW had not been considered the sole provider of this service given that they perform government’s security printing function.”
The AA has urged the DoT to divulge the value of the contract, as well as the reason for IDEMIA’s selection and the time frames for the roll-out of the new smart cards.
“This also raises questions as to why the other four bidders were not appointed. Surely the public has the right to know how this project is unfolding, but the lack of clarity in the appointment of the preferred bidder – including the apparent secrecy with which the tender was issued – raises concerns,” the AA said.
The appointment comes less than a week after the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) terminated its contract with IDEMIA for its Automated Border Control system.
This happened after ACSA and IDEMIA were taken to court by local BEE firm InfoVerge, which said it had been pushed aside by the French company after the tender had been secured.
IDEMIA told IOL that it respected ACSA's decision to terminate that contract.
“While this outcome is unfortunate, we remain optimistic about the future. We look forward to the opportunity to participate in ACSA's re-procurement process, aiming to provide a best-in-class solution that not only strengthens security but also significantly enhances the overall customer experience for both South Africans and international travellers,” the tech company said in a statement.
The tech company told IOL that it had proven expertise in projects around the world.
“IDEMIA is a global leader in physical and digital identity solutions, trusted by governments around the world for our proven expertise and innovation,” the company said.
“Leveraging our extensive experience, IDEMIA has proudly put forth a bid to contribute to South Africa’s driver’s licence printing programme.
“We are honoured to have been selected by the Department of Transport to support them in delivering best-in-class, fraud-resistant driver’s licences to South African citizens.”
However, the AA reiterated that given the huge amount of public funds at play in this process, the public needs to understand exactly whom the money is being paid to and how it will be allocated.
“By not taking citizens into their confidence on this important matter, the DoT are effectively laying the groundwork for accusations of impropriety in the allocation of funds – accusations which will taint the process from its inception,” the association said.
IOL Motoring
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