Windhoek:The government of Namibia is implementing stricter controls over the production and verification of vehicle number plates, introducing new plates with advanced security features.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi announced these changes in the National Assembly, stating that many number-plate manufacturers in Namibia are not currently registered. To address this, the ministry has activated Part 5 of the Road Traffic and Transport Regulations. This part concerns the registration of manufacturers, builders, importers, and number-plate manufacturers, which had previously been inactive due to technical challenges that have now been resolved.

Minister Nekundi highlighted the lack of a harmonised standard for number plates within Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region as a significant challenge. In response, the government is enhancing technological measures to detect fraudulent plates, employing an Automatic Number Plate Recognition System to verify vehicle number plates and taxi identification numbers against their vehicles and owners.

The City of Windhoek is already utilizing a mobile vehicle equipped with this system to identify fake number plates and taxis during transport operations. However, Nekundi acknowledged the need for improvement in the existing technology, stating that efforts are underway to enhance the system, number plate features, and manufacturer control mechanisms.

The new number-plate standard will include security features such as QR codes and homologation. An inspectorate has been established to oversee manufacturers, and the ministry is procuring an automated digital verification system for use by police and municipal traffic authorities.

These updates were part of Nekundi's response to questions from Popular Democratic Movement lawmaker Winnie Moongo regarding the regulation of number-plate manufacturers, the prevalence of fake plates, and measures to strengthen vehicle identification.