Licence deadline looms

2003-04-21 13:47

Cape Town - The chances were minimal that those drivers who had not yet converted their driver's licences to the new credit card format would be able to meet the April 30 deadline, the Democratic Alliance said on Monday.

"We have little sympathy for those who have again left it until the last minute," DA transport spokesperson Stuart Farrow said.

He said 137 000 drivers countrywide still needed to be processed every day to meet the deadline.

Farrow said the party had sympathy for drivers who converted their cards five years ago and were attempting to renew their licences at present.

"These drivers do not deserve the long queues that they must wait in, as there is no fast-track system for renewals," Farrow said.

It was up to the transport department to come up with a plan to ensure that law-abiding drivers and first-time licence applicants were not prejudiced by the tardiness of those remaining licence holders who had still to obtain their new licences.

Meanwhile the City of Cape Town has turned the Athlone soccer stadium into a huge Driving Licence Issuing Centre to cater for a last-minute rush by applicants for their new licence.

Last week the government ruled out another extension for motorists to convert their licences.

Transport Minister Jeff Radebe warned that the authorities would act against those who failed to meet the deadline.

- SAPA