Article and photos by Kotie Geldenhuys
Fraudsters come in all forms and sizes to seize any opportunity for exploitation. From advance fee schemes and romance scams to charity fraud, their tactics are diverse and cunning. Among these schemes, fraudsters have also identified vulnerabilities in the NaTIS system, using it to carry out various forms of vehicle-related fraud.
In November 2024, during the training seminar of the South African Branch (SAB) of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI), Hannes Snyders, a Director at FICS Klerksdorp/Kuruman (Pty) Ltd Specialised Investigations, delivered a stark reminder about the critical role of the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS). Mr Snyders emphasised that NaTiS is South Africa’s official national register, tasked with enforcing the National Road Traffic Regulations and the National Road Traffic Act. As a government portal, this system is a cornerstone of the National Department of Transport’s strategy to ensure effective road traffic management.
NaTIS serves several key functions. It facilitates the registration and licensing of vehicles; manages applications and authorisations for driving and learner’s licences; prevents the re-registration of stolen vehicles; and ensures the communication of stolen vehicle details.
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[This is only an extract of an article that is published in Servamus: April 2025. This article is available for purchase.]