Johannesburg - A new number plate series was launched in Gauteng by provincial Roads and Transport MEC Ismail Vadi on Tuesday.
"This is part of a larger initiative aimed at reducing the incidence of fraud in respect of number plates," the department said in a statement.
It continued: "It is important to note that motorists will be able to keep their old registration numbers, as the new number plate series is mandatory only for newly-registered vehicles and for transfers of ownership of second-hand vehicles."
The new series, BB 01 BB GP, would be issued only on aluminium plates. They contained a distinctive security feature - a continuous mark or image running horizontally across the white, reflective plate surface.
"The number plate's border, letters and numbers are in dark blue and there is a distinctive watermark feature on the new plate."
The plates would be comparable in price to the cost of current number plates.
All number plate suppliers would be required by law to register with the department.
"Our government has noted the ease with which number plates can be illegally obtained to conduct criminal activities."
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/New-licence-plates-for-Gauteng-20101130