…as Nekundi activates long-dormant regulations
Patience Makwele
Number-plate manufacturers have been operating in Namibia without mandatory registration, despite regulations providing for government oversight of the industry, as authorities move to close loopholes blamed for the circulation of fake plates and the abuse of vehicle identification systems.
Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi made the admission in parliament on Thursday while responding to a question from Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament Winnie Moongo, which sought clarity on the manufacture and sale of number plates, fake taxi identification numbers and measures being taken to prevent their abuse.
Nekundi said the government had now activated Part 5 of the Road Traffic and Transport Regulations, paving the way for the registration and regulation of manufacturers, builders, importers and number-plate manufacturers.
The provisions, however, had remained dormant for an extended period due to technical challenges, including the lack of a harmonised number-plate standard across Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
“We are currently engaged with the consultation with the manufacturers, and the teams are in the regions. Once done with the consultations, the mandatory registration of Number Plate Manufacturers will start,” Nekundi said.
The move effectively signals a new phase of government control over an industry that has been covered by regulations but has not, according to the minister, been fully subjected to the mandatory registration regime.
Nekundi said an inspectorate had also been established to oversee manufacturers, builders, importers and number-plate manufacturers and ensure compliance once the regulatory system is fully implemented.
The government’s renewed push comes amid growing concerns over counterfeit number plates, fake taxi identification numbers and vehicles being operated outside the law.
Authorities are already deploying technology to detect irregular plates and identify vehicles suspected of operating illegally.
Nekundi said the City of Windhoek has a mobile vehicle equipped with an Automatic Number Plate Recognition system, which has been used during transport operations to detect fake number plates and identify taxis.
However, the minister conceded that the technology currently being used is not sufficient.
“The current system is not adequate,” Nekundi said.
The government is therefore working on a broader technological overhaul, including the procurement of an automated digital verification system for the Namibian Police and traffic authorities in municipalities.
Cameras are also expected to play a greater role in enforcing road traffic regulations.
At the same time, the government is preparing to introduce a new number-plate standard incorporating approximately eight security features, a move aimed at making plates harder to counterfeit.
“The government is further preparing to introduce a new number-plate standard containing about eight security features,” Nekundi said.
The planned security measures include QR codes and hologram-related features, which the minister said would be introduced soon.
The new system is also expected to coincide with the implementation of a SADC standard for vehicle number plates.
According to Nekundi, the measures are intended to make it more difficult for criminals to produce counterfeit plates while strengthening the ability of law-enforcement agencies to verify vehicles and enforce road traffic laws.
Namibia already has E-Natis, a centralised digital system containing information on vehicles, drivers and traffic-related matters.
Nekundi said ministry officials, the Namibian Police and traffic law-enforcement officers from municipalities and local authorities have access to the system to verify vehicle and driver information.
The government is also stepping up public awareness efforts, with motorists expected to be informed about number-plate requirements and the steps to take when they encounter irregularities.
The activation of the dormant regulatory provisions now places number-plate manufacturers on the path towards mandatory registration, as government attempts to bring greater control to an industry increasingly caught up in concerns over counterfeit plates, illegal vehicle operations and weaknesses in enforcement.
