The Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) has completed an audit into a contentious tender awarded to Idemia for the printing machines and technology for new driver's licenses. The report, handed to the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, in January 2025, is currently under review. Concerns have been raised by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) about potential irregularities in the procurement process, including accusations of manipulated tender procedures and a significant cost increase. The AGSA audit is examining these allegations and the suitability of Idemia's technical capacity. The outcome of the audit will likely determine the future of the new license card project, which has been plagued by delays.
The Auditor-General of South Africa has concluded its audit into a controversial transport department tender awarded to Idemia to provide the new cards’ printing machines and technology.
Only a few days after the announcement, Creecy released a statement confirming she had asked that the AGSA widen an audit into the procurement and consider certain issues, including whether:the specifications for the project included adequate measures to protect the safety of personal data given the sensitivity of information and security features involved in this project;
other South African service providers tendered, including service providers contracted by the Government Printing Works, and why were they not selected; andCreecy’s request came after a meeting with the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse , in which it highlighted a number of serious concerns about the process through which Idemia was chosen.
Outa’s statement also welcomed the minister’s request that the AGSA widen its audit to look into the procurement.Outa accused the DLCA and the department of poor transparency in the procurement process, including its actual cost. It is unclear whether that will include associated items, such as software and other supporting equipment.
If Outa’s information on the matter turns out to be accurate or the AGSA finds other major irregularities, the new licence cards will likely be further delayed.
SOUTH AFRICA TRANSPORT TENDER AUDIT IDEMIA LICENCE CARDS PROCUREMENT CONTRACTS ORGANISATION UNDOING TAX ABUSE (OUTA) GOVERNMENT PRINTING WORKS
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