Experts Warn Of Privacy Risks As Gauteng’s New Number Plate System Rolls Out

Gauteng’s upcoming number plate recognition system, designed to enhance crime prevention, has sparked serious privacy concerns. Experts warn that if sensitive vehicle data collected through the technology is misused, it could endanger residents.

Speaking to Cape Talk, Nathan-Ross Adams, founder and managing director at ITLawCo, warned that the captured data could “result in harm to various people” if not managed responsibly.

“Depending on how it’s actually captured and used could result in harm to various people,” Adams said. “Let’s say you’re going to a shopping centre or entering a complex or toll booth — your number plates are logged at those different points.”

While the initiative aims to assist law enforcement, Adams emphasised that the system could be exploited for malicious purposes, such as stalking or surveillance.

He cited a disturbing example from Europe where an unauthorised individual accessed a number plate database to track their partner in a domestic violence situation.

“They were actually stalking the person and could get the behavioural movements of when they went to certain stores, when they arrived at home, over a few months,” Adams said. “The person’s privacy was obviously invaded, but their safety and security were also compromised.”

Adams stressed that data control is key to privacy protection, stating, “We’re guaranteed it under our constitution, and so we should be able to decide what happens with our data.”

Government Pushes Ahead with High-Tech Number Plates

The Gauteng government’s new number plate and recognition system is already being implemented for provincial vehicles, with plans to extend it to all motorists by December 2025.

Premier Panyaza Lesufi first revealed the initiative during his 2023 State of the Province Address, describing it as a crucial tool in the fight against vehicle-related crime.

“Fraudulent number plates and cars without proper documentation are at the centre of crime in our province, especially kidnappings, robberies, and rented murder,” Lesufi stated. “Criminals use undocumented cars to commit crimes. We are now ready to launch tamper-proof new number plates.”

The new plates are expected to feature advanced security enhancements to prevent cloning and counterfeiting. However, the rollout has faced backlash over transparency and costs.

AfriForum Demands Transparency Over Costs and Re-Registration

Civil rights organisation AfriForum has formally requested that the Gauteng Department of Transport disclose details about the costs associated with the new number plate scheme.

In August 2025, AfriForum filed an internal application after the department failed to respond to a Protection of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request within the legally mandated 30-day period.

“AfriForum insists that the provincial department must disclose the proposed cost and associated re-registration costs of these number plates,” the organisation said.

AfriForum campaign manager Louis Boshoff noted that more than 3.5 million vehicles in Gauteng would require around seven million new number plates, arguing that Premier Lesufi’s refusal to reveal the total cost was “unacceptable.”

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Lesufi previously confirmed that once the system goes live, all vehicle owners in the province must reregister and obtain new number plates. “Everyone must register their vehicle … if you spend 30 consecutive days in Gauteng, it means your car must be registered in Gauteng,” he said.

However, the South African Vehicle Rental Leasing and Fleet Management Association has challenged Lesufi’s claim, questioning both the necessity and the logistics of re-registration, particularly since the new plates maintain the current alphanumeric format.

Currently, vehicle registration in Gauteng costs R216, while trade plate applications cost R120. Adding the new licence disc and administration fees could push the total re-registration cost to over R1,000 per motorist, depending on the final price of the upgraded plates.

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