Gauteng launches innovative number plates to fight crime
Gauteng's new number plates have QR (quick response) codes.
Image: Supplied
The Gauteng provincial government this week launched a new high-tech, tamper-proof and crime-fighting number plate system to be piloted over the next six months on its fleet before being publicly rolled out.
According to the provincial Roads and Transport Department, the new intelligent number plate system represents a giant leap as it is a secure, traceable, and smart solution, incorporating tamper-evident decals, forensic QR (quick response) codes, and a fully digitised back-end portal.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela officially unveiled the new system on Thursday in Johannesburg.
The system's features include the ability to drastically improve the credibility of number plates and to enable license plate tracking within the value chain, from manufacturer to the vehicle owner.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
'These technological enhancements are designed to combat vehicle theft, fraud, and cloning, while improving road safety and empowering traffic law enforcement across the province,' the department explained this week.
For the next six months, the system will be piloted using g-Fleet vehicles affixed with the technologically advanced new number plates as part of the stress testing project before the provincial rollout.
'This system is set to drastically improve the credibility of number plates and to enable license plate tracking within the value chain, from manufacturer to end user (vehicle owner),' stated the department.
In addition, it is hoped that the system will also address longstanding challenges in vehicle registration and the law enforcement framework, tackling cloned or fraudulent license plates, lack of interoperability with Southern African Development Community systems, and inadequate data traceability.
Lesufi said his administration, assisted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, is now deploying a digital system that ensures the ability to account for every vehicle on the province's roads.
He warned that those using fraudulent or duplicate number plates will have no space or time to drive in Gauteng.
Diale-Tlabela said the smart number plates will significantly reduce vehicle cloning, trafficking of stolen vehicles, and the use of falsified plates in criminal activities, as well as disrupt criminal networks and improve road safety.
The Gauteng provincial legislature's Portfolio Committee on Transport and Logistics welcomed the strategic introduction of the number plates as an intervention towards safer roads.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
Gauteng launches innovative number plates to fight crime
Gauteng's new number plates have QR (quick response) codes. Image: Supplied The Gauteng provincial government this week launched a new high-tech, tamper-proof and crime-fighting number plate system to be piloted over the next six months on its fleet before being publicly rolled out. According to the provincial Roads and Transport Department, the new intelligent number plate system represents a giant leap as it is a secure, traceable, and smart solution, incorporating tamper-evident decals, forensic QR (quick response) codes, and a fully digitised back-end portal. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela officially unveiled the new system on Thursday in Johannesburg. The system's features include the ability to drastically improve the credibility of number plates and to enable license plate tracking within the value chain, from manufacturer to the vehicle owner. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'These technological enhancements are designed to combat vehicle theft, fraud, and cloning, while improving road safety and empowering traffic law enforcement across the province,' the department explained this week. For the next six months, the system will be piloted using g-Fleet vehicles affixed with the technologically advanced new number plates as part of the stress testing project before the provincial rollout. 'This system is set to drastically improve the credibility of number plates and to enable license plate tracking within the value chain, from manufacturer to end user (vehicle owner),' stated the department. In addition, it is hoped that the system will also address longstanding challenges in vehicle registration and the law enforcement framework, tackling cloned or fraudulent license plates, lack of interoperability with Southern African Development Community systems, and inadequate data traceability. Lesufi said his administration, assisted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, is now deploying a digital system that ensures the ability to account for every vehicle on the province's roads. He warned that those using fraudulent or duplicate number plates will have no space or time to drive in Gauteng. Diale-Tlabela said the smart number plates will significantly reduce vehicle cloning, trafficking of stolen vehicles, and the use of falsified plates in criminal activities, as well as disrupt criminal networks and improve road safety. The Gauteng provincial legislature's Portfolio Committee on Transport and Logistics welcomed the strategic introduction of the number plates as an intervention towards safer roads.
IOL News
11 hours ago
- IOL News
South Africa's Innovation Fund pilot phase shows promise amid challenges
THE Department of Science, Technology and Innovation recently briefed Parliament on the results of its five-year Innovation Fund pilot phase, revealing that 96 startups had been supported since 2020. Image: AI Ron THE Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) recently briefed Parliament on the results of its five-year Innovation Fund pilot phase, revealing that 96 startups had been supported since 2020 — but with glaring disparities in provincial representation and private-sector hesitancy threatening its scalability. Acting director-general Gugulethu Zwane, leading the DSTI delegation, framed the Innovation Fund as a response to the White Paper on Science, Technology, and Innovation, implemented through the Decadal Plan. Mlungisi Cele, the newly appointed director-general and former chief executive of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (Naci), emphasised the Fund's role in commercialising innovation. 'The Fund includes interventions aligned with the Decadal Plan's objectives, with measurable indicators to track progress,' he said. Konanani Rashamuse, DSTI chief technocrat, detailed the 'Fund on Funds' (FOFs) model, where government seed capital attracts private investment. To date, R265 million in public funds has leveraged R1.3 billion — a fivefold multiplier effect. Three FOFs have been established, including the High Impact Seed Fund and the Public Investment Corporation Technology Development Fund. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ However, Cele admitted that South Africa lagged behind Nigeria, Kenya, and Rwanda in venture capital activity. 'One of our goals is to scale up and position South Africa as a leader,' he said. MPs grilled the DSTI on stark inequities. Gauteng and the Western Cape account for 80% of funded startups, leaving other provinces underserved. The MK Party's Thembinkosi Mjadu demanded action: 'What measures will ensure equal geographic distribution?' Rashamuse pointed to the DSTI/EPF Tech Fund Venture Building Programme, targeting underrepresented regions, but conceded more work was needed. Gender transformation remains another hurdle. 'The venture capital industry lacks enough first-time female innovators,' Rashamuse acknowledged. Cele highlighted the Women in Technology and Innovation Programme, launched in March 2025, as a step forward. Rashamuse admitted high failure rates are inherent in venture capital but argued even a 10% success rate could yield a significant impact. 'We need a large enough pipeline to sustain failures while ensuring the successes create social impact,' he said. A major concern is private-sector engagement. Cele cited 'risk aversion' and 'lack of policy certainty' as barriers. Rashamuse added that stronger data transparency could rebuild trust. 'We must position the Fund as an attractive investment for the private sector,' he said. Meanwhile, budget constraints loom. Cele revealed Minister Blade Nzimande is lobbying Treasury for increased funding, noting South Africa's innovation budget pales in comparison to global peers. Despite challenges, Rashamuse showcased standout startups: Stone Three: AI-driven mining tech operated from Cape Town but deployed globally. AI-driven mining tech operated from Cape Town but deployed globally. Artisan Biomed: Precision medicine using DNA-based diagnostics for African patients. Precision medicine using DNA-based diagnostics for African patients. LignOrganic: Waste-reducing biomass solutions from macadamia nut shells. Looking ahead, DSTI plans to: Scale the Fund and assess the pilot phase independently. Boost youth and female participation through targeted programmes. Develop a digital dashboard for monitoring. Host the SA Tech Challenge 2025 in Cape Town to spur innovation. Chairperson Tsakani Shiviti from the ANC stressed the need for a 'coherent system' bridging grassroots entrepreneurship to commercial markets. 'We must close the gap between development and local product accessibility,' she said. The ANC's Vusumuzi Nkosi pushed for metrics tracking long-term social impact, while the DA's Natasha Mazzone called for expert-backed responses in future briefings. As the meeting adjourned, the message was clear: The Innovation Fund has potential, but without equitable distribution, private-sector buy-in, and sustainable funding, its promise may remain unfulfilled.
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- The Citizen
Gauteng unveils high-tech, tamper-proof number plates
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has officially unveiled a new high-tech, tamper-proof provincial number plate system. The new intelligent number plate system is a secure, traceable and smart solution, incorporating tamper-evident decals, forensic QR codes and a fully digitised back-end portal. These technological enhancements are designed to combat vehicle theft, fraud and cloning, while improving road safety and empowering traffic law enforcement across the province. Speaking at the launch of the new plates on Thursday, Lesufi said the new system is a major step forward in the fight against criminality in the province. 'We are letting go of the old ways of fighting crime and introducing new ideas in this fight. With the help of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, we are now deploying a digital system that ensures we are able to account for every vehicle on our public roads. 'Those who are using fraudulent or duplicate number plates will have no space or time to drive on our roads,' he said at the launch held at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg. The province has launched a high-calibre 'weapon' in the fight against criminality and restoring order, he said. Rollout and combating crime The system will be piloted using g-Fleet vehicles affixed with the technologically advanced new number plates as part of the six-month stress testing project, before the provincial rollout. This system is set to drastically improve the credibility of number plates and enable license plate tracking within the value chain, from manufacturer to the vehicle owner. Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela highlighted that the launch represented a strategic provincial intervention to combat crime effectively and strengthen regulatory compliance. She added that this is an important pillar in the broader Provincial Integrated Crime Prevention Strategy. 'By partnering with law enforcement agencies, metro police departments and the private sector, we are enhancing vehicle identification and traceability. 'These smart number plates will significantly reduce vehicle cloning, trafficking of stolen vehicles, and the use of falsified plates in criminal activities. It is about disrupting criminal networks and improving road safety,' the MEC said. Meanwhile, as part of efforts to bolster traffic law enforcement, the Gauteng Provincial Government welcomed 96 officers from the Road Traffic Management Corporation. These additional 'boots on the ground' officers will enhance visibility and strengthen crime-fighting efforts in the province. 'With these additional resources, the provincial government will also be able to undertake interventions to stabilise and manage taxi violence at identified hotspots, promote responsible road usage and enhance traffic management,' the MEC said. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
