WATCH | Lesufi’s crime-busting plates: No more hiding for dodgy drivers

Lesufi

Cape Town – Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has launched a new high-tech, tamper-proof number plate system aimed at combating vehicle-related crimes and improving road safety.

Developed with support from the CSIR, the system features tamper-evident decals, forensic QR codes, and a digital backend for traceability. It will be piloted on g-Fleet vehicles over six months before wider implementation.

During Thursday’s launch of the new number plates, the premier described the system as a significant advancement in the province’s efforts to combat crime.

“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 (CSIR), we are now deploying a digital system that ensures we 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,” Lesufi said at the launch held at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.

The initiative is part of Gauteng’s broader crime prevention strategy and aims to eliminate fraudulent plates, vehicle cloning, and trafficking of stolen vehicles.

MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela emphasised its role in regulatory compliance and disrupting criminal networks.

Additionally, 96 new traffic officers from the RTMC have been deployed to bolster enforcement, manage taxi violence, and improve road safety across the province.

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