The Gauteng Department of Transport (GDoT) has been allocated R9.4 billion for the 2024/2025 financial year, bringing its total budget over the 2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) to a whopping R28.1 billion, said MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela during her annual budget vote in July.
The newest allocation will be divided between:
- R672.483 million – Administration
- R2.2 billion – Operational expenses and subsidies of Gautrain Management Agency
- R2.7 billion – Road infrastructure
- R3 billion – Transport operations
In addition to the new budget allocation, a substantial sum of R4.2 billion has been earmarked by the National Department of Transport for the GDoT through conditional grants.
These span the Provincial Roads Maintenance Grant, Public Transport Operations Grant, and EPWP Integrated Grant, which collectively contribute R12.1 billion over the MTEF.
“[These] resources will be strategically directed towards various priorities, including the completion of ongoing road infrastructure projects and the introduction of new, secure, and tamper-proof number plates featuring an innovative track and trace system,” said Diale-Tlabela.
Gauteng is South Africa’s most populace province, with the total asset value of the provincial road network surging from approximately R25.5 billion in 2010 to a projected R40 billion-plus today.
The network spans 45,638km, comprising 4,200km of paved roads and 1,438km of unpaved roads, adorned with 676 bridges and 428 culverts.
New number plates
Alongside the announcement of the sizeable budget allocation, Diale-Tlabela noted that the GDoT is “on course” to introduce the province’s new number plates.
The MEC noted that a prototype number plate recognition system for the new vehicle identifiers has been developed and will soon start being piloted on government vehicles, which will pave the way for the provincial rollout to private cars.
“We are pleased to announce that a prototype number plate recognition system has been successfully completed and is now ready for pilot through our fleet management entity: g-Fleet Management,” said Diale-Tlabela.
The trial will be launched over the next six months and include the creation of a portal integrating g-Fleet Management vehicle data, linking with the National Traffic Information System, system testing, deployment to selected embossers and blankers, and a comprehensive confirmation of system functionality.
“Upon stress-testing and completion of the trial run, the Department will be ready for a provincial rollout,” said Diale-Tlabela.
“Wide-ranging consultations with all stakeholders are currently underway to ensure the rollout is implemented in a just and fair manner accommodating interested parties, including vehicle owners.”
The new number plates are designed to prevent cloning, enhance safety, and establish accountability from manufacturers and retailers in the value chain.
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