LISTEN: Why we need more than high-tech number plates to stop SA's cloning crisis
Motoring expert Warren Tucker warns that without full government control and enforcement, South Africa’s new high-tech number plates won’t stop cloning-related crimes.
702's Gugs Mhlungu spoke to resident motoring enthusiast, Warren Tucker.
Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below.
In an attempt to tackle the growing problem of number plate cloning, the Gauteng government is testing new high-tech vehicle licence plates.
Starting with state vehicles, these plates feature tamper-proof barcodes, South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) certification, and printer-specific codes to trace their origin.
"...these number plates are definitely a step in the right direction, but government has to own the entire value chain."
- Warren Tucker, Motoring Enthusiast
"...in order for it to work, you'd have to plug all the holes. So your system's only as good as the weakest link."
- Warren Tucker, Motoring Enthusiast
Tucker explains that the current lack of regulation makes it easy for criminals to clone plates and commit various crimes.
He believes the government must control the entire number plate process and increase enforcement.
"You have to have a specialised unit that's dedicated to this phenomenon of number plate cloning."
- Warren Tucker, Motoring Enthusiast
Tucker stresses that without a centralised and accountable infrastructure, even advanced technology won’t close the gaps.
Scroll up to listen to the full conversation