New number plates mooted for KZN
The current system has been described as ‘colonial, subject to abuse, difficult for police to trace – and running out of digits’.
IN yet another blow for already hard-pressed KZN motorists, it appears they will soon have to fork out for new number plates. According to Mhlabunzima Memela, writing for Wheels24, a transport department spokesman has confirmed that the provincial cabinet had approved the department’s plan for ‘KZN’ plates to bring the province into line with the other provinces. The Western Cape is the only other province still using the ‘old’ system which identified the town where the vehicle was registered. These number plates were described by the spokesperson as ‘colonial, subject to abuse, difficult for police to trace – and running out of digits’.
“There is no need for this change,” said DA Eastern Cape transport spokesman, Radley Keys. “They are being utterly bizarre because our current system works fine. With this process every vehicle owner will be affected, while those in licensing businesses will be smiling with fat bank balances.”
The Wheels24 report went on to say the KZN department was awaiting permission from national transport to develop a plan for the roll-out of the new system and, thereafter, to amend legislation. The spokesman could not say what the switch would cost vehicle owners, but current registration costs are around the R500 mark, while basic number plates cost in the region of R150 per set.
