The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to release the full details of irregularities in the controversial R898 million driver’s licence card machine tender awarded to French company Idemia Security in 2024.

Following an investigation by the Auditor-General (AG) that uncovered procurement irregularities, Creecy sought a High Court clarity order and confirmed that no funds had yet been spent on the project. She stressed that proceeding with the contract under these circumstances would be classified as irregular expenditure under the Public Finance Management Act.

The DA argues that without the AG’s full report being made public, the root causes of procurement failures remain hidden. The party’s transport spokesperson, Chris Hunsinger, insists that beyond legal procedural issues, South Africans need answers on why the tender required external investigation in the first place.

“The licence card issue highlights systemic mismanagement and corruption in the Department of Transport. Minister Creecy must disclose who and what caused the serious procurement non-compliance,” said Hunsinger.

The tender process was first advertised in November 2022, re-advertised in April 2023, and ultimately awarded to Idemia in August 2024. Shortly after, Creecy instructed the AG to investigate. With the contract now under legal scrutiny, the rollout of new driver’s licence cards is expected to be delayed further.