WC Transport MEC asks Transport minister for an extension of all license grace period

The Western Cape’s Transport & Public Works MEC, Daylinn Mitchell, says he has written to Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, to request a further extension to the validity period of learners’ licences, driving licence cards, temporary driving licences and professional driving permits.

In August 2021, Mbalula announced an extension of all licences that expired between 26 March 2020 and 31 August 2021, to 31 March 2022,

‘’In order to give motorists a fair opportunity to renew their licences, while we are rolling out a number of measures to improve efficiencies and resolve challenges, we have decided to extend further the grace period for the renewal of licences,’’ Mbalula said at the time.

Mitchell said that he suggested to Mbalula that an extension should be applicable until at least 31 December 2022, citing the current backlog in the production of driving licence cards.

‘’I also asked Minister Mbalula to confirm the veracity of some media reports stating the said backlog to be in the region of 400 000 and the time needed to rectify the situation.’’

 ‘’I took cognisance of the letters issued by the Acting Head of the Driving Licence Card Account Entity, Mr Sandiso Thutshini, issued on 25 November 2021 and 09 December 2021 respectively. However, these letters did not provide any specific information around the backlog such as an age analysis and the extent of the backlog as the letters did not provide any definition plan of action to normalise the situation,’’ added Mitchell.

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula announced on Wednesday that South Africa’s only driving licence card machine has been fixed and is now back in operation. The machine used in the production of the cards broke down in November 2021 and was sent abroad for repairs, leaving approximately half a million South African motorists stuck with expired driving licence cards.

‘’The news that the card machine has been repaired and is operating again is positive, but in order to enable my Department to communicate accurate information to its stakeholders, I asked Minister Mbalula to supply the missing information and all the details that will assist this cause as a matter of urgency,’’ said Mitchell.

 

PICTURED: MEC Mitchell at Bush Radio

Done By: Mitchum George