There will be no intelligent number plate (INP) project solely for Gauteng, says a member of the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The project, for which the tender has not yet been awarded, was meant to be rolled out in Gauteng over several previous deadlines that were not met.
The latest reason for the delay in the project was an investigation into the contract of one of the project researchers.
The electronic number plate system would be fitted with RFID tags that contain unique identification codes programmed into a 2D barcode that traffic authorities will be able to scan.
GP guinea pig
However, Neil Campbell, DA spokesperson for roads and transport in Gauteng, says the project won't be rolled out anytime soon considering MEC Ismail Vadi's unwillingness to move forward with the project.
Campbell says, in a meeting with the MEC and an RFID expert, Vadi made his position on the matter very clear.
“He's not prepared to let Gauteng be a guinea pig for this project. That's why for now the new aluminium plates were only released with watermarks. Gauteng is always used as a guinea pig and it's very costly.”
Campbell says Vadi was firm that the provincial transport department would not implement the project until transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele rolls out a national blueprint for intelligent number plates.
“So it's back in Ndebele's court. If he wants Gauteng involved, then he needs to have national parameters.”
Vadi proposed alternatives like holograms for licence plate authentication at the meeting, but the expert said holograms are too easily generated and so would not be secure enough, according to Campbell.
Wrap it up
Octavia Mamabolo, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport's (GDRT's) chief director of communications, said in January that Vadi ordered an investigation into the extension of the researcher's contract.
She added that the auditor-general (AG) would take about two months for the completion of the investigation, and testing of the intelligent aspects of the project will only begin once the investigation has been concluded.
However, almost four months later, the investigation has not yet been completed. Mamabolo says the project is still being halted until the investigation is over.
“We are waiting for the AG's report. With the elections on, people have other priorities.”
Fighting fraud
The GDRT rolled out the new number plate series on aluminium plates at the end of November, but without any of the intelligent components.
Vadi said the new series will combat fraud, as part of a larger initiative to reduce the number of fraudulent plates.
“The new number series (BB 01 BB GP) will be issued only on aluminium plates. It contains a distinctive security feature, namely, a continuous and unbroken wave mark or image running horizontally on the white, retro reflective plate surface,” said Vadi.
There is also a distinctive watermark feature on the new plate.
The department previously said the INP project will be rolled out over a 24-month period once tests are done on the available technology.
When the project is rolled out, a microchip will be inserted into the bottom of the existing aluminium plate, so citizens don't have to replace their plates yet again, according to Mamabolo.
“The new system is part of a smart crime-fighting initiative aimed at putting an end to the duplication of number plates frequently used in motor vehicle theft and other illegal practices,” says the department.
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