The Automobile Association (AA) has expressed its deep concerns over the Department of Transport’s (DoT) recent announcement regarding the appointment of French technology company IDEMIA Identity and Security as the preferred bidder to produce new smart driving licence cards for South Africa. The AA is urging the DoT to provide clarity on this decision, citing a lack of information surrounding the tender process.
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In a statement released on September 2, the AA highlighted that it had previously posed several questions to the DoT in mid-June regarding the tender, yet has yet to receive answers. Notably, the AA seeks information about the involvement of the Government Printing Works (GPW) in drafting and evaluating bidders. “Why was GPW not considered the sole provider for this service?” asked the AA.
The organisation further stressed the necessity for transparency about the contract value, timelines for rolling out the new smart cards, and the rationale behind IDEMIA’s selection over the other four bidders. “The apparent secrecy surrounding the tender raises significant concerns,” the AA stated.
The Department of Transport has announced the appointment of IDEMIA Identity and Security – South Africa as the preferred bidder to produce new smart driving licence cards. https://t.co/adx3GpmyP7
— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) September 2, 2024
The AA’s concerns extend beyond the appointment of IDEMIA. The organisation questions why a physical driver’s licence card remains essential, particularly as many sectors undergo digitisation. “The ability to manage driving licences through fingerprints would be more secure, especially considering the rate of forgery of physical cards,” the AA noted.
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Plans are already in place for the AA to voice its concerns regarding the appointment of IDEMIA through formal channels, including the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA).
This discussion comes shortly after the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) announced the termination of its contract with IDEMIA for Automated Border Control. ACSA cited the need for good corporate governance and transparency, launching an independent investigation into the contractual arrangements with IDEMIA.
Automobile Association raises questions on the appointment of the preferred bidder to produce new smart driving licence cards for the country https://t.co/16HQSml66T#ArriveAlive #SmartDrivingLicenceCards @AASouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/Y6AZ7dO9rF
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) September 2, 2024
“With substantial public funds involved, it is imperative that the public is informed about who is receiving this money and how it will be allocated. A lack of transparency paves the way for accusations of impropriety, thus jeopardising public trust in the process,” concluded the AA.
For further developments on this issue and to ensure accountability, it is crucial for stakeholders and the public alike to remain engaged.
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