'Fix eNatis, Mr Radebe'
30/05/2007 20:16  - (SA)  

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Johannesburg - The Department of Transport's application to stop Beeld newspaper from running a report on the controversial eNatis system will be heard in Pretoria High Court on Thursday.

The report includes a section of one of the auditor-general's reports on eNatis (electronic national transport information system), which the newspaper had hoped to run earlier in the week.

On Wednesday, Beeld's editor Peet Kruger called on Transport Minister Jeff Radebe to spend his time and resources rectifying problems presented by eNatis rather than trying to silence the media.

Kruger emphasised that the contents of its latest story on the issue was clearly of great public interest.

The department said on Wednesday it had sought the application, not to gag the media, but to "seek adherence to legislative requirements on how audit findings are dealt with before the final report is tabled in Parliament".

A 'big failure'

Kruger said the system of putting eNatis into operation was clearly a big failure with a negative impact on the motor industry and for South Africans wanting to acquire or renew drivers' licences and vehicle licences.

"Instead of resolving the problem, the minister and the department are devoting their time to silencing the messenger," he said.

Kruger said that the newspaper had published revealing scoops about the new vehicle registration system.

"On Tuesday, Beeld's sources leaked us a second report from the auditor-general after the newspaper had earlier revealed that the auditor-general had delivered a critical report to the department."

Beeld investigative reporter Adriaan Basson said the newspaper had got hold of a section of one of the auditor-general's reports on the eNatis system and on Tuesday morning asked the department to comment on it.

Beeld agreed to give the department until Wednesday to comment, but at about 19:00 on Tuesday Beeld was told that the department had brought the action to stop publication.

"The report is specifically about the security of eNatis," said Basson.

Beeld is part of Media24, News24's parent company.

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