1 in 6 GP plates fake

2010-03-15 14:36

Johannesburg - One in every six number plates affixed to vehicles in Gauteng is fake, the provincial legislature heard on Monday.

"In Gauteng, on average, 43 000 new numbers were issued per month.

"Assuming that each vehicle needed two plates, 86 000 should have been issued but the average number of plates actually made is 130 000, meaning that 44 000 plates (or at least 22 000 vehicles - as trailers only require one plate) are added to the fleet carrying false plates every month," said DA provincial transport spokesperson Neil Campbell.

The details were released to the legislature’s portfolio committee on roads and transport by the Gauteng traffic department.

The department told the gathering that law enforcement and the control measures placed on the number plate industry were ineffective, said Campbell.

"This information was offered as a reason for the introduction of the expensive, intelligent number plate system in Gauteng in October.

"A set of plates will cost approximately R360 and will need to be renewed every five years - apparently because they fade and cannot be picked up by speed cameras after five years which is indicative of poor quality plates."

He said another R360 would need to be paid after five years and every five years thereafter.

Campbell said there had been minimal public participation in the introduction of the new plates.

A provincial Gazette published on February 10, 2010 required any input from any interested or affected person by March 24, 2010.

"While the introduction of these ‘i‘ plates represents a genuine attempt to overcome the huge problem of number plate cloning, government has, as usual, found an extremely costly possible solution and proceeded with undue haste towards regulation.

"As yet no tenders have been called for or awarded," he said.

- SAPA