Justice Project South Africa (“JPSA”) is alarmed that on 31 December 2020, Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula falsely and irresponsibly tweeted:
“In order to ease the pressure on motorist and to allow sufficient time for authorities to clear the backlogs as a consequence of the earlier restrictions, we have extended the validity of learner’s and driver’s licences, vehicle licences, professional driving permits”.
As of 5 January 2021, no government gazette which gives any effect to the said extension of the validity period of vehicle licenses and the discs associated with them has been published. This rubbishes the Minister’s claims that as at 31 December last year the said extension had already been effected.
He did not say “we will” or “we are going to” extend the validity period of vehicle licenses, he said “we have” done so.
Despite his unfortunate tendency to take to social media to promote himself, the Minister is a trusted public official whose word should be beyond reproach. It is only when or if the appropriate amendment is published in the government gazette that it will be of any force and effect. Twitter is not a substitute for the government gazette. Full stop!
Several media houses have published the Minister’s false claims and as a result, it is not unlikely that trusting members of the public who have taken him on his word have been fined.
Members of the public are advised to place no reliance in tweets eminating from the Minister of Transport unless specific, verifiable references to official government publications are provided to back up his claims.