There will be a rollout of new number plates in Gauteng; a system designed to enhance security and combat crime. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced at a 13 February event that the Gauteng provincial government had partnered with Vumacam for the initiative. This is being done to improve the state’s response to crime.

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The premier confirmed: “From 1 April in Gauteng, we are revamping the car registration numbers of all the cars. We are starting afresh, all of us. Every person that has a car must re-register and get a new registration number that can’t be copied, can’t be removed, and is reliable.”

Here’s the lowdown:

New Number Plates in Gauteng: Why the Change?

Crime Deterrent: The primary driver for the new plates is to fight crime in Gauteng. Cars are frequently used in crimes like hijackings, cash-in-transit heists, and kidnappings. The new plates will be harder to copy or tamper with, aiding police investigations.
Outdated System: The current number plate system is also reaching its limits in terms of issuing unique combinations.

Lesufi elaborated: “The problem of crime in this country, and in this province, is that the motor vehicle is the common denominator. Either they are going to escape with it, or the number plate is fraudulent, or that car was kidnapped (sic) or hijacked somewhere, or that car cannot be accounted for.”

New Number Plates in Gauteng – Features:

Enhanced Security: The new plates boast improved security features, making them much more difficult to duplicate or alter. Details about the exact nature of these features are often limited to avoid giving criminals a head start.
Track and Trace (Future): There are plans to incorporate track-and-trace capabilities into the new number plates, potentially allowing for easier tracking of stolen vehicles.

New Number Plates in Gauteng Rollout:

Pilot Phase: The initial rollout began as a pilot phase with government vehicles. This testing period allows for refining the process and working out any issues ahead of a larger public launch.
Public Rollout: A broader public rollout date has been announced, but keep in mind such schedules can change. At the time of public rollout, motorists renewing their license discs will likely need to replace their number plates.

“We don’t want people to crowd our licensing offices, so every time your disc expires you automatically also have to renew with a number plate. That’s the only way we can make sure everyone comes in,” the premier suggested.

Benefits:

Crime Reduction: The primary goal is to reduce crime rates and make Gauteng safer.
Improved Investigations: Difficult-to-replicate plates make it harder for criminals to mask their vehicles and aid law enforcement investigations.
System Modernisation: The new system addresses the limitations of the old format, ensuring enough unique number plate combinations for the future.

Important Notes

Cost: There will likely be an additional cost associated with replacing number plates.
Location: It’s important to remember that these changes currently apply specifically to the Gauteng province. Other provinces in South Africa may consider similar measures in the future.

Staying Informed

To get the most up-to-date information on rollout dates, costs, and specific features, regularly check official Gauteng government websites or the Department of Transport. News outlets will also report on major developments.