Justice Reasserted Government Welcomes Court Ruling on Licence Card Tender

The national government has welcomed a High Court judgment declaring the driving licence card machine tender irregular, confirming that the procurement process must be set aside and re-advertised. The ruling follows legal scrutiny over the tender process, with the court emphasising that public procurement must comply strictly with constitutional and legislative requirements to ensure fairness and accountability.Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa said the judgment reinforces government's ongoing commitment to transparent, ethical and lawful procurement practices, particularly in high-value contracts that affect essential public services. They stressed that the Department of Transport respects the authority of the courts and views the ruling as an opportunity to correct process weaknesses and restore public confidence.The decision is expected to delay the rollout of a new driving licence card system, but government has reiterated that compliance with the law remains more important than speed. Officials confirmed that steps are already under way to restart the tender process in a manner that upholds integrity, protects public funds and ultimately delivers a more reliable service to South Africans.