Gauteng unveiling new 'tamper-proof' number plates to reduce crime
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse is questioning why the provincial government has not been transparent about this new number plate system.
New Gauteng number plates. Facebook/GPG
702's John Perlman interviews Wayne Duvenage, CEO of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse.
The Gauteng Provincial Government is set to unveil new number plates on Thursday in readiness for a pilot project.
A post on social media describes these plates as 'cutting-edge' and 'tamper-proof'.
Motivating the new system, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says fraudulent number plates and cars without proper documentation are at the centre of crime in the province - especially kidnappings, robberies and 'rented murder' as criminals use undocumented cars to commit crimes.
John Perlman gets comment from Wayne Duvenage, CEO of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA).
While Outa is not saying it doesn't want more security in this space, it does question an apparent lack of transparency around this move Duvenage says.
He notes that the organisation was approached about a new system of number plates in 2019 already.
"We said at the time, ok that's great, but let's just be very transparent Gauteng - how much is this going to cost, are you going to have transparent processes to make sure that the manufacturing process is done at minimal cost to society...."
Wayne Duvenage, CEO - Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse
"We believe they (provincial government) haven't been doing that properly."
Wayne Duvenage, CEO - Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse
"Very often when these new systems come in, there's too little public engagement and with fleet owners for instance and organisations like the AA that have an interest in this matter."
Wayne Duvenage, CEO - Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse
Duvenage notes that at the moment it costs about R200 for a set of number plates and questions how much more the new ones would cost.
"It just comes down to where's the transparency, who makes these things... because often government has other agendas and people get very rich out of the tenders."
Wayne Duvenage, CEO - Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse
"We're not seeing any transparency here - they've been very quiet and when you ask how much it's going to cost you and I and the fleet owners, they can't tell us."
Wayne Duvenage, CEO - Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse
He also questions how effective the new system will be in reducing related crimes.
"Right now you can drive around Joburg with NO plates and nothing happens to you!"
Wayne Duvenage, CEO - Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse
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