Namibia is set to overhaul its vehicle number plate system, with new plates featuring advanced security technology aimed at combating fake, cloned and stolen registration plates.
made the announcement in the National Assembly on Thursday while responding to Popular Democratic Movement MP Winnie Moongo, who raised concerns about criminals using fake or swapped number plates and the difficulty of tracing vehicles involved in crimes. Nekundi revealed that not all number plate manufacturers in Namibia are currently registered, prompting the ministry to activate Part Five of the Road Traffic and Transport Regulations, which provides for the registration of manufacturers, builders and importers of number plates.
The minister said the regulations had previously remained inactive because of technical challenges, including issues relating to alignment with SADC standards. Those challenges have now been addressed. “We will then proceed with the registration of these businesses and issue the new number plates accordingly,” Nekundi said. Consultations with manufacturers and other stakeholders have been taking place across the regions. Once the process is completed, registration of number plate manufacturers will become mandatory. “All the number plates are going to change very soon,” Nekundi said.
The new system is expected to introduce about eight security features, including machine-readable barcodes or QR codes and hologram-related technology. The codes will contain information linking the plate to the registered vehicle, owner and manufacturer, making it easier for authorities to identify counterfeit plates and trace vehicles. The system is also expected to work with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. Nekundi said an ANPR system is already being used in Namibia, including by the City of Windhoek, but that the existing system requires further enhancement.
Traffic cameras will be able to scan the new plates, allowing authorities to identify vehicles, detect traffic infringements and assist in tracing vehicles linked to criminal activity. Private and customised plates, which Nekundi said are particularly vulnerable to manipulation and theft, will also be replaced. A major change will affect public transport. Taxis, long-distance buses and other public passenger vehicles will move from the current yellow plates to blue number plates, making them easier to identify.
The ministry also plans to strengthen public awareness of vehicle number plate and taxi identification requirements. The overhaul comes amid concerns that criminals can use cloned or swapped plates to make vehicles involved in robberies and other offences appear registered to innocent motorists.
By Rudi Bowe
