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Vehicle-related crime in South Africa is seeing an uptick, with a range of offences that extend beyond the well-known issues of hijackings and car thefts. A less common but significantly impactful crime is vehicle number-plate cloning, a phenomenon that is affecting a considerable number of South African motorists, according to reports from Law for All.
Law for All sheds light on this underreported issue, stating,
Much like identity theft, this means that a criminal can pass off your information and details as their own, and it has widespread consequences.
Although nationwide statistics are unavailable, it has been reported that approximately one in five vehicles in Gauteng have experienced plate cloning. Criminals use these duplicate plates to evade traffic fines and e-toll fees. Law for All noted the alarming ease with which fraudulent number plates can be obtained, highlighting that,
it is as easy as walking into an SABS-approved shop and ordering one – without having to produce an ID or license disc.
They also mentioned the existence of ‘backstreet’ outlets selling fake plates.
Advocate Jackie Nagtegaal, the managing director at Law for All, emphasized the serious repercussions for the legal owners of the cloned plates. They are held responsible for any traffic fine incurred by the criminal using the fake number plate, putting them at risk of facing criminal charges if the fines remain unpaid for a prolonged period.
Nagtegaal warned,
The onus is on the legal owner of the vehicle to prove his or her innocence. This also means that motorists could face potential criminal charges if the fines go unpaid for a long period of time. In short, motorists can ‘commit crimes’ without their knowledge.
Moreover, unresolved fines can hinder the renewal of the vehicle’s licence disc.
In the event of falling victim to this crime, it is advised to report the matter promptly. Initiating a case with the South African Police Service (SAPS) is a crucial step, along with informing local metro police and traffic officials.
To address traffic fines accumulated through fraudulent plates, contacting the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) is recommended. The agency aims to “ensure that individuals understand their rights and options” in relation to road violations. Disputing fines issued by AARTO should be done through its online query system, albeit it might be a long and frustrating process.
To curb the perpetuation of this issue, potential car buyers are urged to take the following measures:
Law for All encourages vigilance, urging individuals to report any suspicious activity promptly, as they foresee no immediate slowdown in vehicle-related crimes. They stress the importance of being extra cautious in the current climate to protect oneself from the repercussions of this criminal activity.
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