APPREHENSION over a possible waste of time and resources is been felt by citizens all over the country.
This comes after the national government announced plans for a new number plate system across the country, throwing a spanner in the works for KZN’s own number plate project. KZN had developed its own plan that the executive council approved in January.
A suggestion made by a member of the DA Radley Keys was that the province puts its plans on hold until more information about the national proposal was received. Keys explained that all the work done by the province would be wasted if overridden by National Road Traffic Act amendments.
Another concern is the cost to motorists who are already dealing with increasing cost of fuel and tolls.
Department of Transport Committee Chairperson Mxolisi Kaundra said there was support for the new number plate system, however, the plan should be aligned with national regulations. This will prevent any ‘fruitless expenditure’.
Department of Transport MEC Willis Mchunu explained the need for the change.
The current number plate system was rooted in the apartheid regime and sustained irrelevant magisterial jurisdictions and boundaries.
The numbering plan is also nearing its limit as it provided numbers up to 999 999 and has reach 800 000.
It is also difficult to control manufactures of plates and prevent the use of illegal plates.
Mchunu did, however, say the financial implications had not been determined, but consideration was being given to allow five years for people to change their number plates.
KZN Transport spokesperson Nathi Sukazi said after the meeting he felt that there should be no conflict of interests between the national plates and creating a provincial identity in KZN.
Fortunately the process is only in the consultative stages . If agreed upon, it would go to Parliament and would take up to 12 months for legislation to be completed and the process to be implemented.
The Director of Road Transport regulation in the National Department John Motsasting said the new system would not cost the government anything.
The concern, however, is that at present, registration costs currently exceed R500, while basic number plates cost at least R150 per set according to a local number plate manufacturer.
With ongoing increases in costs in South Africa, the price of registering and buying new number plates could have Zululanders digging even deeper into their pockets, in a year’s time.
