Transport department wants out of national vehicle register contract

24 May 2016 - 15:37 By Nomahlubi Jordaan

An extension of a contract to run the country’s national vehicle register‚ awarded to technology firm Tasima‚ did not follow proper procurement requirements. David Unterhalter SC‚ for the Department of Transport‚ said this during argument in the Constitutional Court on Tuesday in the long-running battle.Minister of Transport‚ Dipuo Peters‚ was in court to follow the dispute over Tasima’s right to continue operating the electronic National Traffic Information System (eNatis)‚ which is the official register for all vehicles‚ driving licences‚ and traffic contraventions.The transport department took the matter to the Constitutional Court on appeal arguing that the contract is invalid.The former director-general of the department‚ George Mahlalela‚ had extended Tasima’s contract to continue operating eNatis from 2010 to 2015.But Unterhalter argued that the contract extension agreement had failed to stick to the law concerning procurement.“There is nothing that has ever been put up by Tasima to suggest that any of the precepts of procurement law … have in any way ever been complied with for the purposes of extension‚” he said."This court should come to the conclusion that the extension is invalid and therefore there can be no basis upon which Tasima can seek to perpetuate its unlawful entrenchment in these contractual arrangements‚" he argued.The matter was first heard by North Gauteng High Court which found in favour of the department and the Road Traffic Management Corporation in June 2015.Tasima then took the matter on appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein and the court ruled in its favour in December 2015.The government is now appealing to the Constitutional Court to bring closure on the matter.The hearing continues...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.