Latest news with #RoadsandTransport
IOL News
a day ago
- Automotive
- 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
4 days ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
Motorist awarded R26. 6m after pothole accident leaves her paraplegic
A North West Province woman who is left a paraplegic after her car hit a pothole and overturned, is set to receive R26.6m in damages from the province's roads department. Image: File A pothole in the North West Province will cost the MEC of the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport more than R26.6 million after a motorist was involved in an accident when she drove through the pothole, which left her a paraplegic. The North West High Court, sitting in Mahikeng, ordered the department about three months ago to pay this amount to the plaintiff, only identified as Beauty. However, the department has to date not yet paid up. Her attorney, Righardt Bezuidenhout, said the department promised that it would pay by Wednesday. However, by the time of publication, she had not yet been paid. Bezuidenhout had obtained an order to attach the assets of the provincial department, to sell at auction in a bid to receive payment. The department, in the meantime, promised to make the payment to avoid its assets being sold at public auction. Bezuidenhout earlier managed to secure an order against the provincial department after proving that the pothole was the cause of the accident, in which Beauty was left a paraplegic. She lost control of her car in 2014 when she hit the massive pothole on a public road, and her vehicle overturned. The provincial department was held responsible as it was proved to have been negligent for not fixing the pothole earlier. The court was told that the pothole had been there for some time and that it was fixed a few days after the accident. 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 ✕ The provincial department was held 100% liable for the damages she could prove she had suffered as a result of the accident. Beauty was a highly functional nurse prior to the accident, but she is now left helpless and needs around-the-clock assistance. During the second leg of the court case earlier this year, a host of experts were called in a bid to determine how much compensation Beauty should receive. The damages claimed by her were for past medical expenses, future medical expenses, loss of earnings, and general damages. In determining her damages, Deputy Judge President Tebogo Djaje considered the fact that Beauty was employed as a professional nurse at the time of the accident. She had been in service for approximately 25 years. Since the accident, she has not been employed and was medically boarded in 2016. She will not be able to return to work as she presents with a physical impairment of 77%, according to the orthopaedic surgeon. Apart from being wheelchair-bound, she uses an indwelling catheter as well as nappies and is completely dependent on her daughter for assistance. The only physical activity that she can do is gardening to a limited degree. According to the experts, the plaintiff will require extensive future treatment. Apart from spinal injuries, she also suffered a hip fracture, as well as shoulder and rib fractures. Her injuries further left her with several scars, and she lost four of her front teeth.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
State must pay R26. 6m to motorist left a paraplegic after accident caused by pothole
A North West Province woman who is left a paraplegic after her car hit a pothole and overturned, is set to receive R26.6m in damages from the province's roads department. Image: File A pothole in the North West Province will cost the MEC of the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport more than R26.6 million after a motorist was involved in an accident when she drove through the pothole, which left her a paraplegic. The North West High Court, sitting in Mahikeng, ordered the department about three months ago to pay this amount to the plaintiff, only identified as Beauty. However, the department has to date not yet paid up. Her attorney, Righardt Bezuidenhout, said the department promised that it would pay by Wednesday. However, by the time of publication, she has not yet been paid. When the department failed to pay her prior to now. Bezuidenhout had obtained an order to attach the assets of the provincial department, to sell at auction in a bid to receive payment. The department, in the meantime, promised to make the payment in a bid to avoid its assets being sold at public auction. Bezuidenhout earlier managed to secure an order against the provincial department after proving that the pothole was the cause of the accident, in which Beauty was left a paraplegic. She lost control of her car in 2014 when she hit the massive pothole on a public road, and her vehicle overturned. The provincial department was held responsible as it was proved to have been negligent for not fixing the pothole earlier. The court was told that the pothole had been there for some time and that it was fixed a few days after the accident. The provincial department was held 100% liable for the damages she could prove she had suffered as a result of the accident. Beauty was a highly functional nurse prior to the accident, but she is now left helpless and needs around-the-clock assistance. During the second leg of the court case earlier this year, a host of experts were called in a bid to determine how much compensation Beauty should receive. The damages claimed by her were for past medical expenses, future medical expenses, loss of earnings, and general damages. In determining her damages, Deputy Judge President Tebogo Djaje considered the fact that Beauty was employed as a professional nurse at the time of the accident. She had been in service for approximately 25 years. Since the accident, she has not been employed and was medically boarded in 2016. She will not be able to return to work as she presents with a physical impairment of 77%, according to the orthopaedic surgeon. Apart from being wheelchair-bound, she uses an indwelling catheter as well as nappies and is completely dependent on her daughter for assistance. The only physical activity that she can do is gardening to a limited degree. According to the experts, the plaintiff will require extensive future treatment. Apart from spinal injuries, she also suffered a hip fracture, as well as shoulder and rib fractures. Her injuries further left her with several scars, and she lost four of her front teeth.
The Independent
28-01-2025
- The Independent
Met Police officer called black colleagues ‘cotton pickers', panel rules
A Metropolitan Police officer has been found to have committed gross misconduct by calling her black colleagues 'cotton pickers'. Pc Mia Korell, who is part of the Roads and Transport policing command, was accused of using the term to describe black officers who did not believe the Territorial Support Group (TSG) was a racist unit. It was alleged Pc Korell, herself a black officer, used the language when she bumped into Inspector Alistair Phillips while they were both off duty near the University of Surrey in Guildford on October 7 2022. A misconduct panel on Tuesday ruled Pc Korell had said the 'derogatory, disrespectful and racist' term and that her saying it amounted to gross misconduct. Delivering its decision, chairman of the panel Commander Jason Prins said: 'The panel found Mr Phillips had no motive to fabricate the allegation and it would have reflected badly on his career had he done so. 'The panel accepts the officer used the word cotton pickers in a derogatory, disrespectful and racist manner.' Mr Prins said the panel found the words used 'fitted the context of the conversation' and gave weight to Mr Phillips being '100% sure' that cotton pickers was said. Mr Prins added that Pc Korell's use of the words was 'out of character' but was 'meant to be derogatory'. 'Although these words were discriminatory the panel does not consider the officer to be inherently racist,' Mr Prins told the hearing in central London on Tuesday. 'The panel is satisfied the word cotton picker was intended to be derogatory, discourteous to black officers and that the word is racist in nature.' The panel ruled Pc Korell had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in the force, in respect of discreditable conduct, authority, respect and courtesy, and equality and diversity. Pc Korell and Mr Phillips had had a broader conversation before they began speaking about racism in policing, the misconduct hearing was told. Although these words were discriminatory the panel does not consider the officer to be inherently racist. The panel is satisfied the words cotton picker were intended to be derogatory, discourteous to black officers and that the words were racist in nature Mr Prins, panel chairman Mr Phillips told the panel Pc Korell asked him if he believed the TSG, which both officers were part of at the time, was racist, to which he said no. He said it was then that Pc Korell said black TSG officers who do not agree that the TSG is a racist unit are 'just cotton pickers'. Giving evidence to the panel on Monday, Mr Phillips said: 'The conversation was fairly clear. 'I don't think there was any misunderstanding. 'I am 100% sure that was the exact phrase used. 'It is a very bizarre phrase to make up, and I have very little to gain from making a story up.' Pc Korell, who is studying for a PhD examining the experience of black officers in the police, denied the allegation. She told the panel on Monday: 'It is not a term that you hear often in conversation, it is not part of my vernacular. 'I am aware of its existence but I didn't say it, it strikes me as odd.' The hearing was told Mr Phillips emailed Pc Korell's line manager to report her use of the term on October 17 2022. Asked by Rebecca Hadgett, representing Pc Korell, why he did not report it sooner, Mr Phillips said he drafted an email on the day of the incident but was unable to speak to Pc Korell's line manager until a later date because he was away on holiday. Mr Prins said: 'The panel finds the delay is understandable in view of the sensitivity of the matter but finds Mr Phillips could and should have reported it earlier to another manager.' Pc Korell was given a final written warning to last five years.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Yahoo
Met Police officer called black colleagues ‘cotton pickers', panel rules
A Metropolitan Police officer has been found to have committed gross misconduct by calling her black colleagues 'cotton pickers'. Pc Mia Korell, who is part of the Roads and Transport policing command, was accused of using the term to describe black officers who did not believe the Territorial Support Group (TSG) was a racist unit. It was alleged Pc Korell, herself a black officer, used the language when she bumped into Inspector Alistair Phillips while they were both off duty near the University of Surrey in Guildford on October 7 2022. A misconduct panel on Tuesday ruled Pc Korell had said the 'derogatory, disrespectful and racist' term and that her saying it amounted to gross misconduct. Delivering its decision, chairman of the panel Commander Jason Prins said: 'The panel found Mr Phillips had no motive to fabricate the allegation and it would have reflected badly on his career had he done so. 'The panel accepts the officer used the word cotton pickers in a derogatory, disrespectful and racist manner.' Mr Prins said the panel found the words used 'fitted the context of the conversation' and gave weight to Mr Phillips being '100% sure' that cotton pickers was said. Mr Prins added that Pc Korell's use of the words was 'out of character' but was 'meant to be derogatory'. 'Although these words were discriminatory the panel does not consider the officer to be inherently racist,' Mr Prins told the hearing in central London on Tuesday. 'The panel is satisfied the word cotton picker was intended to be derogatory, discourteous to black officers and that the word is racist in nature.' The panel ruled Pc Korell had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in the force, in respect of discreditable conduct, authority, respect and courtesy, and equality and diversity. Pc Korell and Mr Phillips had had a broader conversation before they began speaking about racism in policing, the misconduct hearing was told. Mr Phillips told the panel Pc Korell asked him if he believed the TSG, which both officers were part of at the time, was racist, to which he said no. He said it was then that Pc Korell said black TSG officers who do not agree that the TSG is a racist unit are 'just cotton pickers'. Giving evidence to the panel on Monday, Mr Phillips said: 'The conversation was fairly clear. 'I don't think there was any misunderstanding. 'I am 100% sure that was the exact phrase used. 'It is a very bizarre phrase to make up, and I have very little to gain from making a story up.' Pc Korell, who is studying for a PhD examining the experience of black officers in the police, denied the allegation. She told the panel on Monday: 'It is not a term that you hear often in conversation, it is not part of my vernacular. 'I am aware of its existence but I didn't say it, it strikes me as odd.' The hearing was told Mr Phillips emailed Pc Korell's line manager to report her use of the term on October 17 2022. Asked by Rebecca Hadgett, representing Pc Korell, why he did not report it sooner, Mr Phillips said he drafted an email on the day of the incident but was unable to speak to Pc Korell's line manager until a later date because he was away on holiday. Mr Prins said: 'The panel finds the delay is understandable in view of the sensitivity of the matter but finds Mr Phillips could and should have reported it earlier to another manager.' Pc Korell was given a final written warning to last five years.
