Card licences: Grace for some
2003-02-21 23:46
Cape Town - Barely a day after acting transport minister Jeff Radebe said there would be no grace for people who fail to obtain their new card licences, the transport ministry has indicated a possible extension for some drivers.
Regulations to accommodate people in prison, soldiers on peace-keeping missions abroad, hospitalised patients and diplomatic personnel are expected to be announced on Monday, the department's acting director-general Medard Rwelamira said on Friday.
He told a parliamentary transport portfolio committee that a long-term prisoner in Pretoria, who, as a result of his situation was not able to convert his licence, had recent filed a court application, compelling the ministry to strike a compromise.
"We then came to realise there were many others in similar situations as the prisoner, who would be unable to convert before the deadline, due to circumstances beyond their control," Rwelamira said.
Radebe said on Thursday people caught without the new card licence after February 28 will face the same punishment as someone driving without a licence. People living in former homelands have until September 1 to convert.