Justice in motion: transforming Gauteng's roads with intelligent number plates
This initiative isn't just about replacing metal plates with hi-tech alternatives; it's an ambitious leap towards modernising our transport systems and reclaiming the roads ofGauteng for the people. It reflects a shift in government culture from reactive to proactive, from transactional to transparent, from fragmented to united.
Above all, this is a story of people and progress, a story of how innovation can restore trust, enable equity, and reaffirm Gauteng's place as a leader on the continent and beyond.
Cracking down on crime with intelligent d esign
Vehicle-related crime has long plagued Gauteng, undermining public confidence andleaving many feeling unsafe. True to the sentiments echoed by Lesufi at the historic launch; with more than 85% of serious crimes involving vehicles, many equipped with cloned or stolen plates, the need for a robust solution has never been greater. The INP System is Gauteng's direct, comprehensive response to this challenge.
Each plate is embedded with tamper-evident features and unique forensic QR codes,linked to a digitised database, enabling real-time verification. For law enforcement, this is a game changer. Police can now track stolen or flagged vehicles instantaneously, verify registrations on the spot and co-ordinate more effectively with metro police, border agencies and other stakeholders.
This is crime prevention through design. By embedding safeguards directly into the system, the government has transformed number plates into powerful tools for ensuringaccountability and justice. The INP System replaces guesswork with data, inefficiency with precision, and fear with confidence.
Beyond technology, the system underscores a critical principle: safety thrives when we work together. Freight operators, taxi associations, community groups, and municipalities are all vital partners in making Gauteng's roads safer. Technology sets the framework, butcollective commitment brings it to life.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Citizen
17 hours ago
- The Citizen
DA demands urgent action on illegal street racing in Joburg suburbs
"Innocent lives in Johannesburg's suburbs are being put at risk due to the 'reckless and illegal practice of street racing". Joburg residents are up in arms over illegal drag racing in several suburbs. Picture: iStock Joburg residents are up in arms over illegal racing in several suburbs, including Lenasia, Rosebank, Fourways, and Midrand, among other areas, which they say have become a nuisance and dangerous. The DA said that, due to the brazen antics of the drag racers, innocent lives in Johannesburg's suburbs are being put at risk because of the 'reckless and illegal practice of street racing.' 'Dangerous races' DA Gauteng spokesperson for Community Safety, Michael Sun, said the 'dangerous races' often occur in the early morning. 'They transform quiet suburban streets into hazardous racetracks. The DA in Gauteng has been inundated with complaints from concerned residents, and we demand that Premier Panyaza Lesufi urgently intervene and halt this alarming trend'. Tragedy Sun shared details of a tragic incident that occurred on July 12, 2025 at about 5:30am, on Jan Smuts Avenue in Rosebank. 'Reports indicate that three vehicles were racing on the wrong side of the road when they collided. One of the racers died at the scene. Tragically, an innocent Uber driver was also struck head-on and lost his life. 'The occupants of the other two racing vehicles fled the scene, leaving behind a devastating aftermath,' Sun said. ALSO READ: Illegal drag race claims one life, leaves several injured Not isolated Sun added that the incident is not an isolated incident. 'Every weekend morning, residents along Cedar Road in Fourways are jolted awake by the deafening roar of modified engines and motorbikes speeding through their neighbourhood. 'On 13 July 2025, yet another incident was reported on Allandale Road in Midrand. At approximately 8:50 am, Ward Councillor Annette Deppe witnessed a group of six or seven high-powered vehicles racing down the public road as if it were a private speedway,' Sun said. ALSO READ: WATCH: Cops investigating after Nigerian rapper crashes R3m McLaren 570S in Sea Point Proactive action Sun claims that the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and the South African Police Service (Saps) are not doing enough to stop the illegal drag racers or arrest the drivers 'This sheer lack of service delivery is particularly concerning, as reckless driving is a criminal offence under the National Road Traffic Act. Penalties for this offence can range from fines and imprisonment to the suspension or revocation of a driver's license in severe cases. 'The DA Gauteng has engaged the Chief of JMPD and relevant Saps Station Commanders to demand urgent intervention. Our communities cannot become battlegrounds for ego-fuelled speed chases,' Sun said. Safe space Sun added that his party will be tabling questions to Lesufi in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to determine how many illegal racing incidents were reported in the past five years, how many people were killed, and whether gangs or drugs were involved. 'A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would ensure that both the JMPD and Saps fully exercise their constitutionally guaranteed powers to curb the scourge of illegal racing'. Sun said the DA would also explore the creation or support of safe, regulated facilities where motor enthusiasts can enjoy their sport without endangering the lives of others. ALSO READ: F1 in SA will be 'catalyst' for uplifting motorsport, McKenzie says

The Herald
14-07-2025
- The Herald
'South Africans tired of commissions of inquiry': parties on Ramaphosa's response to Mkhwanazi allegations
Political parties have cautiously welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to establish a commission of inquiry to look into explosive allegations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, saying previous inquiries yielded little results. Addressing the nation on Sunday evening, Ramaphosa announced he was placing minister of police Senzo Mchunu on special leave, and said and that Prof Firoz Cachalia would act as police minister. Ramaphosa also announced he has established a judicial commission of inquiry chaired by acting deputy chief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga to investigate allegations relating to the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates. This comes after explosive allegations levelled against Mchunu by Mkhwanazi last Sunday. Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of interfering with police investigations and of overstepping his role when he ordered the disbandment of the political killings task team. ActionSA said it sees no logic in yet another commission of inquiry carrying out work that law enforcement and agencies like Ipid should be doing, especially while the R1bn Zondo commission report into state capture gathers dust as those who committed treason continue to evade justice. DA leader John Steenhuisen welcomed the new appointment made by Ramaphosa, but also expressed concern over the decision to establish a commission of inquiry. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Steenhuisen said m any South Africans are sceptical about commissions of inquiry after the Zondo inquiry produced no convictions, even after people were named. He added that the public's trust might deteriorate if there is another inquiry that yields no consequences. GOOD party secretary-general Brett Herron said the appointment of a commission, while well-intentioned, is too slow, too cumbersome and too costly. 'We have walked this road before, most notably with the Zondo commission, and we have seen that a commission of inquiry cannot replace a criminal investigation. The Zondo commission produced volumes of prima facie evidence, which the investigating authorities were then required to investigate before any decision to prosecute could be made,' he said. Herron said allegations made by Mkhwanazi demand an urgent and credible criminal investigation, not another year-long process the outcomes of which might never be acted on. RISE Mzansi welcomed the establishment of a commission of inquiry. The party feels that a judicial commission of inquiry is important because the SAPS and the minister cannot investigate themselves. 'The establishment of this inquiry insulates the process from political contamination,' said Makashule Gana, RISE Mzansi National Assembly caucus whip and member of the portfolio committee on police. Meanwhile Mchunu has welcomed Ramaphosa's decision to place him on special leave, saying he fully supports the process. 'I welcome and respect the president's decision and pledge my commitment to the process. Honour and integrity are the virtues I personally subscribe to and which we all need to make efforts to uphold. I stand ready to respond to the accusations against me and account to the citizens of the republic, fully and honestly so,' Mchunu said in a statement. TimesLIVE

IOL News
07-07-2025
- IOL News
Akasia police station's lack of holding cells raises serious crime concerns
The DA is concerned about the Akasia police station in Pretoria, which ranks among the top 40 stations with high serious crime rates, yet operates without a holding cell. Image: Bongani Shilubane/Independent Newspapers The Akasia police station in Pretoria, ranked among the top 40 stations with high serious crime rates, operates without a holding cell. This information came to light through Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi's written responses to parliamentary questions by Crezane Bosch, the DA's Gauteng shadow MEC for Community Safety. Bosch posed questions to inquire about the state of police stations in Gauteng, specifically asking about vacancies and plans to fill the posts. The 2024/2025 police crime statistics report shows that the Akasia police station is among the 40 stations with high rates of community-reported serious crimes, including sexual offences and attempted murder. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Bosch expressed concern that the high rate of serious crimes at the station should not be ignored, suggesting a potential link between the absence of holding cells and the station's effectiveness in reducing crime. She said: 'The DA has repeatedly urged the Premier Lesufi-led government to focus on the fundamentals of policing to effectively combat crime and ensure residents safety. Despite this, millions have been wasted on high-tech solutions including CCTV cameras and drones, while essential resources, such as police vehicles and holding cells are lacking.' She said a DA-led Gauteng provincial government would work within the legal framework to facilitate the upgrading and construction of holding cells through intergovernmental cooperation. 'This includes lobbying for the devolution of key policing powers to capable provinces, allowing them to manage and improve critical safety infrastructure. We would also engage SAPS and National Treasury to obtain the necessary approvals and formal agreements for co-funding and supporting infrastructure projects in key priority areas,' Bosch said. She noted that 24 of the 145 police stations in Gauteng lack holding cells, hindering their ability to effectively combat serious and violent crimes. 'The shortage leads to delays in detaining and processing suspects, which hampers investigations and allows criminal activity to persist. The deficiency also hinders police effectiveness, leaving our people vulnerable to crime,' she said. Lesufi's responses indicated that the maintenance of police stations, including the provision of holding cells, falls under the responsibility of the national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. He disclosed that other police stations, including Mohlakeng and Cleveland, which are also among the top 40 in Gauteng for serious crimes, lack functional holding cells. Bosch said: 'It is concerning that a police station would lack a holding cell, forcing officers to travel long distances to detain suspects at other stations already experiencing overcrowding.' She expressed further concern that police stations without holding cells are disproportionately represented in the recent crime statistics for serious community-reported crimes, including murder, attempted murder, rape, and assault. Lesufi's responses to questions about vacant positions revealed that there are openings for detective service commanders following promotions of previous incumbents. Regarding plans to fill positions, he said: 'The vacancies will be addressed through the appointment/or promotion processes once the post allocation is received from the National Head Office. Critical and command vacancies will be prioritised. It remains unclear how many posts will be advertised due to the budgetary constraints on the compensation budget imposed by National Treasury."