Swazi drivers risk being banned from SA roads

Holders of Swaziland drivers’ licences may not be able to operate vehicles outside the tiny kingdom’s borders. Government has made no effort to issue SADC drivers’ licences demanded in other countries in the region. “Government has had ten years to implement the change after signing the SADC protocol that requires all Swazi drivers to obtain the standardised SADC licence, but has done nothing!” thundered the Times of Swaziland. Unlike Swazi drivers’ licences, which are easily and sometimes falsely obtained and are good for a lifetime, the SADC licence requires a demonstration of driving skill, knowledge of road rules and signage, and has to be renewed on a regular basis. The local media has reported instances where bearers of Swazi drivers’ licences have had runins with police in SA and Mozambique, with South Africa reportedly forcing some drivers to pay a R5000 fine. Mozambique has reportedly banned further acceptance of the Swazi drivers’ licences. Responding to the furore in the local press, the licensing board promised to set up a testing procedure and start issuing SADC licences to replace the local variety at an unspecified time in the near future. Road freight companies that employ Swazi drivers have noted their concerns. Of the 80% of goods and services Swaziland imports from SA, almost all is moved by road.