In the State of the Province Address to the Gauteng Legislature on 22 February 2010, Premier Nomvula Mokonyane announced that the Intelligent Number Plate (INP) project will be rolled out later this year. A full systems rollout was envisaged for October 2010.
In line with this proclamation, and our commitment to ensuring that we meet this deadline, the provincial Department of Roads and Transport established project governance structures and reconstituted a project team to fast-track the implementation. The requisite legislative process was completed and regulations were published in July 2010, which specified that as from 1 November 2010, only aluminum plate format, as specified in the Government Gazette, should be supplied to vehicle owners or proxies of the vehicle owners.
We went on tender and the results indicated that there were a number of risks that were likely to affect the rollout as envisaged. The department was also concerned that there was only one supplier for both the tags tender and the Central Verification Centre (CVC) service provider and this would have resulted in an uncompetitive pricing.
The proposals submitted by prospective service providers did not meet the set standards and specifications of the intelligent aspects of the project. After careful analysis of the above, a revised implementation approach was adopted, which would deliver the project in phases. The department has decided on rolling out the new number series on aluminum plate material as soon as the last combination on the current number series is issued out. The plan is to bring the intelligent elements in over a period of 24 months. In light of the phased-approach of the intelligent features, the regulations are being amended and certain schedules related to the intelligent components are being withdrawn.
The department is engaging with industry role players and will be issuing a request for information to investigate other possible alternative solutions that are available as well as to test new technologies and processes before rollout. Various options will then be evaluated and a suitable solution will be selected.
As a priority, the department will be focusing on the following:
- Continue with the registration of industry participants in the project to ensure that they comply with the regulations.
- Rollout of the new number series on aluminum plate as soon as the last combination on the current series is issued;
- In line with the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) framework recently adopted by the Provincial Executive Council, the department will introduce the intelligent components in phases once detailed technology investigations have been concluded.
"We are committed to the regulation of the number plate industry in order to eliminate fraud and corruption and thus reduce theft of vehicles. To achieve this goal, we need to implement the best and the most cost-effective solutions for the citizens of Gauteng," said MEC for Roads and Public Transport Bheki Nkosi.
For more information, contact:
Mr Philemon Motshwaedi
Spokesperson
Tel: 011 355 7466
Cell: 083 648 6870
E-mail: Philemon.motshwaedi@gauteng.gov.za
