By Staff Writer
 
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela announced that a prototype number plate recognition system for the province’s new number plates has been developed and will soon start being piloted by government. This will pave the way for the provincial rollout.
She was tabling the annual budget vote for the Department of Roads and Transport.
 “We are pleased to announce that a prototype number plate recognition system has been successfully completed and is now ready for pilot through our fleet management entity: g-Fleet Management,”
 The pilot project, she added, will be launched over the next six months “encompassing creation of a portal integrating g-Fleet Management vehicle data, linking with the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS), system testing, deployment to selected embossers and blankers, and a comprehensive confirmation of system functionality”.
 She added that upon stress-testing and completion of the trial run, the Department will be ready for a provincial rollout.
Wide-ranging consultations with all stakeholders are currently underway to ensure the rollout is implemented in a just and fair manner accommodating interested parties, including vehicle owners.
 The Gauteng Provincial Government is embarking on a comprehensive overhaul of the vehicle licensing regime, aimed at strengthening compliance and enhancing crime-fighting efforts. Introduction of new, secure, and tamper-proof number plates is expected to discourage the use of motor vehicles in criminal activities. They are designed to prevent cloning, enhance safety, and establish accountability from manufacturers and retailers in the value chain.
 
“To ensure seamless implementation, manufacturers and retailers involved in the number plate value chain are required to register with the Department to comply with existing regulations” the MEC concluded.