Gauteng launches new high-tech number plate pilot system

Motor vehicles in Gauteng will soon be affixed with the new cutting-edge, technological tamper-proof provincial number plate.

This follows after the Gauteng government on Thursday launched what is dubbed the new high-tech, secure, traceable, tamper-proof provincial number plate on a six-month pilot system.

The new intelligent number plate system represents a leap forward as it is a secure, traceable, and smart solution, incorporating tamper-evident decals, forensic QR codes, and a fully digitised back-end portal.

This project was launched by the Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela.

Today the @GautengProvince, under the leadership of Premier @Lesufi is today, launching a secured, traceable, and smart number plate solution which incorporates tamper-evident decals, forensic QR codes, and a fully digitised back-end portal.#GrowingGautengTogether #TacklingG13 pic.twitter.com/9zYrnc7Mps

— Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) June 5, 2025

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 system will be piloted using government fleet vehicles affixed with the technologically advanced new number plates as part of the six-month stress testing project, before the provincial rollout.

Lesufi said this system is set to drastically improve the credibility of number plates and to enable licence plate tracking within the value chain, from manufacturer to end user (vehicle owner).

“It also seeks to address longstanding challenges in vehicle registration and law enforcement framework, tackling cloned or fraudulent licence plates, lack of interoperability with Southern African Development Community (SADC) systems and inadequate data traceability.”

Lesufi pronounced the launch of the new number plate system as a major step and pioneering project 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 CSIR, we are now deploying a digital system that ensures we are able to account for every vehicle on our public roads,” he said.

“Those who are using fraudulent or duplicate number plates will have no space or time to drive on our roads,” Lesufi added.

He also emphasised that the province has now launched a high-calibre weapon in the fight against criminality and restoring order.

“We are ready to fight fire with fire. We are engaging with law-enforcement agencies to look at ways on concentrating efforts on those who are breaking the laws of the province. Through this launch, we are demonstrating that we are going to win this fight, that is how we are going to restore order,” he continued.

MEC Diale-Tlabela highlighted that the launch represents a strategic provincial intervention to combat crime effectively and strengthen regulatory compliance.

She added that this was 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,” she said.

“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,” she continued.

Diale-Tlabela further announced that this system has the potential to catalyse economic participation and unlock local economic potential by localising the production of number plates.

“This will empower small manufacturers through inclusion in the value chain; stimulating new opportunities for technology-driven enterprises and facilitating innovation to enhance public safety, combat lawlessness, and fight crime.”

She referred to the premier’s promise in his 2023 State-of-the-Province address, when he reaffirmed the commitment to combat crime, corruption, lawlessness, and vandalism through the deployment of the latest technology.

“This launch is a testament to that promise. He indicated vehicles were a common denominator in the commission of, particularly, violent crimes, either as stolen or getaway vehicles.”

According to Diale-Tlabela, a high number of criminal activities in the province involve the use of a vehicle, often affixed with cloned or falsified number plates.

“Meanwhile, to bolster traffic law enforcement, the Gauteng Provincial Government also welcomed 96 officers from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC). These additional boots on the ground officers will enhance visibility and strengthen crime-fighting efforts in the province.”

She explained that 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.

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