Massive response as Department of Transport re-opened choice numbers

Some of the motorists around Pietermaritzburg chose to sleep in their cars on Tuesday outside the Choice Numbers offices, as the Department of Transport re-opened the purchasing of three to four digits numbers yesterday, which was closed two years ago.

The closure followed the announcement that the National Department of Transport would introduce the national number plate system but was put on hold, hence the resumption of the sale of personalized numbers in the province.

The numbers were limited and were sold on a first come first serve basis, causing interested motorists to voluntarily sleep inside their cars around the premises of the Choice Numbers offices.

Choice Numbers Assistant Director Phumzile Ngcobo said: “Since we have limited numbers, for now, each motorist is only limited to make a single purchase. We have started with the big cities as we began here in Pietermaritzburg and next will be in Durban.”

She said the motorists are given a chance to choose from the list of numbers provided and each number costs R2250 and the processing period takes up to five working days to be finalised.

Sizakele Mkhize who was first on the list said she came around 8 pm on Tuesday and she did not regret sleeping in her car because she wanted so much to own a three digits number plate.