PICS: JP Smith responds to taxi with his name as number plates: 'It's a compliment'

Lester Kiewit speaks to the City of Cape Town's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith.

A uniquely coloured blue-ish minibus taxi driving around Cape Town has some WhatsApp groups buzzing with what some are calling, 'questionable' number plates because it states 'JP SMITH WP.'

Some are speculating that the vanity plates could be honouring and flattering politician JP Smith, while others think it might be a dig at Smith.

Of course - it could be unrelated because the driver's name could also be JP-something Smith.

Whatever the reason for these plate names, it has caught the attention of politician, JP Smith.

Smith is taking it in his stride and 'as a compliment.'

However, it was found that the taxi's plates aren't registered on the NATIS system after Smith jokingly told the Traffic Department that if this taxi behaves badly - it isn't him.

Overall, Smith recalls that this isn't the first time this happened to him as people have stolen his name to use for website domains but this is all part of 'being a public figure.'

"I did take it as a compliment... that's not the first time  my name has been used in some way but it is something you learn to take on the chin as a public figure... you have to laugh at these things."

- JP Smith