12 July 2001
A statement on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar in connection with the recent media coverage on vehicle registration plates.
On June 29th 2001 the media covered the story of an alleged illegal vehicle registration plates being used in five provinces. The provinces involved were North West, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and Northern Province. South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) expressed its disapproval over the registration plates issue and intended to impose a moratorium on their production pending investigations.
The essence of SABS argument was that the registration plates were in contravention with the specifications of SABS 1116 standard specifications. The National Department of Transport negotiated with SABS not to impose the moratorium but to explore other avenues to handle the issue.
In the subsequent meeting convened by the Department on July 5th, 2001, and attended by all affected provinces and SABS, it transpired that the main non-compliance factor was lack of reflectivity or legibility of the registration plates.
However, note should be taken that the SABS approved unconditionally the use of registration plates similar to the ones now in question in 1998.
The meeting resolved that SABS should write letters to the affected provinces whose vehicle registration plates didn’t conform to specifications. Upon receiving correspondence from SABS, the provinces would decide on the appropriate action to take regarding the issue. Bi-lateral discussions between SABS and provinces are expected to exclusively resolve the issue.
The meeting also resolved that SABS should conduct tests to two registration plates on each province within a month from July 5th, 2001. The two tests per each province are informed by the fact that the country is serviced in this regard by two suppliers at national level. SABS pledges to take action against suppliers who do not submit for tests and are sub-standards.
ISSUED BY
Mike Mabasa
HEAD: Media Liaison and Corporate Communication
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT