Driver’s licence printer back online ‘in next two weeks’

The department announced recently that the country's only licence card printer broke down.

Officials encouraged motorists to apply for a temporary one in the meantime to avoid penalties.

The request was met with public frustration, with many unhappy about having to fork out more for the temporary licence.

The department's spokesperson, Collen Msibi, says while they understand people's dissatisfaction, they cannot afford to issue documents for free.

"Unfortunately, there are administrative costs, there's paper involved, and so forth. Those costs, in order for the department to absorb such, there has to be money coming from somewhere.

"You can understand that would involve Cabinet, it would have to involve Treasury to say where the money will come from to be able to finance the issue of temporary licences."

He says they are making progress to bring the printer back online.

"In two weeks’ time, it should be up and running. I'd say that by [the] end of next week, we should know where we're going when it comes to that machine.

"We've been dealing with the supplier from France. We're quite confident that come [the] end of next week, we should be somewhere."