24 July 2003
The South African Bureau of Standards ( SABS) has noted with alarm the escalating and mushrooming of duplicate number plates for vehicles. The modus operandi is for one number plate to be used for more than a thousand vehicles.
Recent reports have shown that in Gauteng alone 18000 vehicles have the same number plate.
The SABS Automotive Regulatory division have recently received complaints of the same problem from motorists and concerned citizens. A vehicle which was supposed to have been tested at a particular testing station was so unroadworthy that a member of the public reported it to the SABS. On checking with the said test station, no records of it being tested there were found, although the vehicle had the necessary papers that it was tested.
After verifying with the local traffic department, the SABS inspector found that there were copies of proof that the vehicle was tested, but the original book of records was missing. The missing book as records indicated , was purchased by the station but nobody knew its whereabouts at the time.
The SABS has since recommended the suspension of the station examiner. The SABS is working closely with the Department of Transport for the development of a regulatory standard for numberplate manufactures.
"We are again alerting the public about the implications of buying a roadworthy certificate from corrupt officials and other people. This is not only punishable by law, but endangers other road users when unroadworthy vehicles are licensed without proof of being tested by a reputable testing station", says Mr Thembani Nxumalo of the SABS Automotive Regulatory.
Issued by : SABS Corporate Communications
Contact : Kenny Mathivha
Tel : 012 428 6026
Cell : 072 187 6545