Cutting a key issue

ANYONE wishing to make duplicates of car keys must produce the documents of the vehicle and the locksmith must enter the client’s name in a register.

In response to a question posed by MAG parliamentarian Jurie Viljoen last week, Deputy Safety and Security Minister Gabes Shihepo said keeping a register of car keys cut was a stipulation of the Motor Vehicle Theft Act of 1999. “The full name of the customer and his ID number must be entered into the register, the type of vehicle, the vehicle registration number as well as its engine number,” the Deputy Minister told the House.”It appears, however, that some owners of unregistered key-cutting places do not comply with the legislation.No laws are in place in Namibia regarding the making or selling of safe keys and lock-picking tools.South Africa has got such legislation in place already,” Shihepo added.”A company called ‘Lock and Key Home’ is operating in Namibia, but is registered with the South African Locksmith Association, since no such association exists in Namibia.It is advisable that all locksmiths are qualified and registered with an envisioned Namibian association,” the Deputy Minister said.”The full name of the customer and his ID number must be entered into the register, the type of vehicle, the vehicle registration number as well as its engine number,” the Deputy Minister told the House.”It appears, however, that some owners of unregistered key-cutting places do not comply with the legislation.No laws are in place in Namibia regarding the making or selling of safe keys and lock-picking tools.South Africa has got such legislation in place already,” Shihepo added.”A company called ‘Lock and Key Home’ is operating in Namibia, but is registered with the South African Locksmith Association, since no such association exists in Namibia.It is advisable that all locksmiths are qualified and registered with an envisioned Namibian association,” the Deputy Minister said.