The Department of Transport has confirmed that the machine used to print driver's licences is still undergoing maintenance and repair.
The DoT was responding to questions from IOL following the City of Cape Town's allegations that nearly 60,000 licence and permit applicants have yet to receive their documents.
CoCT's JP Smith stated that he was dismayed at the ongoing delays around the issuing of new driving licences.
"We experienced the same issue at the start of 2022, and the fact that nothing has changed three years later is an absolute indictment on those responsible," he added.
The issue was also raised by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) with its CEO, Wayne Duvenage explaining that it has written to Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, on the status of repairs or acquiring a new machine.
According to the DoT's national spokesperson, Collen Msibi, the machine is still undergoing maintenance and repair.
"The Department is exploring various interim solutions to sustain the operations of the current machine, given its age. The temporary licences are currently being issued," Msibi said.
IOL