The licensing department will be faced with yet another backlog of issuing drivers' licences. This is after the country's only printing machine in the country broke during routine maintenance checks. 

IT'S BEING DEALT WITH 

Spokesperson for the Department of Transport Collen Msibi said they experienced problems with the machine after it went through routine maintenance in April. "The routine maintenance started on 5 April to 19 April 2023. Thereafter the technical team encountered a technical breakdown which required a replacement of a critical part from the original equipment manufacturer. It is anticipated that the resumption of card production shall commence within the next 2 to 3 weeks, "said Msibi.  

PUBLIC ENCOURAGED TO CONTINUE APPLYING 

Msibi said despite the looming backlog, the public should continue applying for their driver's licence because they will eventually get them. "The Department of Transport has today reassured members of the public that the production of driving licence cards will not be affected by the routine maintenance of the card production machine. The department has therefore encouraged members of the public to continue applying for their driving licence cards as normal, "Msibi added. 

NOT THE FIRST TIME 

In January last year, the very same machine broke and the then transport Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula said: "The old and outdated machine" was undergoing repairs in Germany. The machine's absence from service is causing a major backlog for driving licence."He announced in October that the machine was fixed, and the backlog was cleared."