Several news articles have reported that people can now renew their South African vehicle licence discs anywhere and anytime by sending WhatsApp messages thanks to a company known to The Witness, that runs an automated chatting system.

The company promises to take the stress out of vehicle licence renewals as they do it all for you on WhatsApp. People are asked to send their vehicle information, a photo of their ID and proof of residence. They then have to make an online payment and then have their new licence discs delivered to them in few days all for a service and delivery fee of R199.

Simon Zwane, spokesperson for the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), said they were aware of the WhatsApp system.

“These companies are private and say they do it for you. People must know that they are using this service at their own risk and that it is not a government accredited system,” he said.