KZN Transport MEC Duma warns against illegal sale of personalised licence plates
KZN Transport MEC Siboniso Duma has issued a strong warning to motorists against the illegal purchase of personalised vehicle licence plates on social media, stressing the legal implications.
Image: KZN Department of Transport
KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma has urged motorists to refrain from purchasing personalised vehicle licence plate numbers via social media platforms, warning that the practice is illegal and in violation of the National Road Traffic Act.
In a statement Duma explained that he become aware of an illegal racket where personalised vehicle licence plates were being sold at excessive prices online.
“A team from Motor Transport Services has brought to my attention an illegal racket that involves selling personalised licence numbers through various social media platforms.
Example of personalised vehicle licence number plates.
Image: KZN Department of Transport
“The cost of the personalised licence number, which is only determined by the Minister of Transport, is R2250.00. Unfortunately, there are motorists who have paid between R7000 and R10 000. This is illegal.”
Duma said that according the National Road Traffic Act, Regulation 28, only the MEC for Transport may establish a personalised licence number system in the province.
“I delegated this function to the Motor Transport Service’s Choice Numbers Section, which remains the only section authorised to sell personalised licence numbers in the province.”
He explained that a motorist who purchases a personalised number through the department's section must sign an acknowledgment that the number will be relinquished to the MEC if no longer required.
In terms of the law a clause states: “If the holder of a personalised licence number no longer requires that personalised licence number, he or she must surrender that personalised licence number to the MEC.”
Duma said therefore the selling of a personalised licence number by any motorist is an indication that they no longer require the number and he would exercise his authority by cancelling the said personalised licence numbers.
“These will be resold to other members of the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Finally, those who are behind this racket are individuals who are driven by greed and an excessive desire for wealth. This greediness will not only drive fraud and corruption, but it will also erode public trust in the department. It is for these reasons I am acting firmly.”