The Road Safety Lobby - Western Cape

11/07/2025

NEW AARTO LAUNCH DATE SET

Cape Argus11 Jul 2025JASON WOOSEY

THE national launch date for the Administrative Adjudication of Traffic Offences Act (AARTO) has been pushed back to December 2025, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) confirmed.

RTIA spokesperson Monde Mkalipi confirmed that 69 municipalities throughout the country’s nine provinces will implement the AARTO system from the start of December, with the remaining municipalities set to follow in 2026.

This follows a week after a previous announcement that the launch would take place in October.

However, the controversial demerit points system that is the core feature of AARTO will only come into effect from September 2026 when the new enforcement framework enters its fourth and final phase, Mkalipi confirmed.

The RTIA said service outlets had been created across the country and over 25 000 traffic officers were currently being trained to implement the new system.

Mkalipi said AARTO would decriminalise minor traffic offences in order to take strain off the courts.

Rather than sending summonses to those who failed to pay their fines, which often do not even reach the courts, the new system would encourage compliance by blocking the renewal of vehicle and driving licences for those with outstanding fines.

Motorists who pay their fines within 32 days will receive a 50% discount.

If not paid during this initial period, the fine is elevated to RTIA level, where a courtesy letter is sent to remind recipients of their rights. Motorists then have a further 32 days in which to dispute the infringement or transfer it to another driver.

However, once the 64 days are up, an enforcement order may be issued, which blocks transgressors from renewing their licences.

So far this new process has only been applicable to Johannesburg and Pretoria, which formed part of the pilot phase for AARTO, but the new laws will also affect the 69 additional municipalities from December 2025. The RTIA has not named these towns and cities as yet.

Advocacy organisations such as the Automobile Association (AA) and the Organisation for Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) have challenged and criticised the AARTO system, with the latter initiating a court case in 2022.

The AA believes AARTO will not save lives as it is geared towards revenue collection rather than promoting safer roads.

“Introducing legislation will not solve the country’s road safety crisis. This merely creates an impression of action while nothing will change on the ground, where it is needed. As part of our contention, we point to the fact that there is no evidence that the AARTO pilot project saved a single life,” the AA said.

13/05/2025

Campaign turns spotlight on pedestrians and cyclists

Cape Argus13 May 2025THOBEKA NGEMA [email protected]

| DOCTOR NGCOBO Independent Newspapers

TRANSPORT Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa chats to commuters.

IN A PUSH to enhance road safety, the National Department of Transport has launched the 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week campaign at one of Durban’s busiest taxi ranks.

Running until May 18, the campaign, themed “Make Walking and Cycling Safe”, aims to illuminate the critical need for awareness regarding the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

Transport Deputy Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, delivered a poignant message at the launch on Sunday, highlighting alarming statistics regarding pedestrian safety.

He said 44% of those killed during Easter were pedestrians.

“This means we still need to engage on a higher level with South Africans on respecting the rules of the road.

“It’s small issues, but they are important. Do not cross where it is not allowed. If there are robots, go and cross at the robots and don’t weave between vehicles.

“Freeways are not for walking. Let’s wear bright clothing when walking on the roads at night so that motorists and other road users can see us.

“Let us not drink and walk on the road. Let us not drink and drive,” Hlengwa said.

“The message for the week and all days that will follow is to talk more about the importance of road safety.”

Hlengwa said for all of this week, the national department will be in KwaZulu-Natal, visiting various areas, disseminating an important message: “let’s be safe on the roads”.

eThekwini human settlements, engineering and transport chairperson Themba Mvubu, said the launch should send a strong message because they want the city to play a meaningful role in road safety issues.

“During this campaign, we want to make walking and cycling safe. We strongly believe that we can succeed in this if we intensify law enforcement,” Mvubu said.

“We are pleased that this city developed the non-motorised transport by-law, which empowers the municipality to establish non-motorised facilities and provide for their use and regulation. The by-law will also assist us in enhancing safety for pedestrians, cyclists, joggers and vulnerable road users,” Mvubu said.

He said they are concerned about the number of people dying on the roads despite the government’s efforts, which saw improved law enforcement, road infrastructure and educational campaigns.

Mvubu said research shows most road accidents are attributed to human actions.

Therefore, campaigns should primarily aim to influence the awareness of road users.

SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) regional chairperson, Yusuf Khaliva, said they might not realise the dual role of pedestrians.

On the one hand, pedestrians are pedestrians, and on the other hand, they are passengers.

“If we ignore pedestrians, it means we don’t pay attention to our passengers,” Khaliva said.

“Our drivers must understand that pedestrians always have the right of way.”

Nelisiwe Mkhabela of the Southern African Bus Operators Association (Saboa) said: “Together we must prioritise the safety of all road users and drive the transformation towards safer streets across South Africa.”

Mandla Ngobese of the Transport Education Training Authority (Teta) said they are committed to driving road safety initiatives in the transport sector.

12/05/2025

KLOOF NEK ROAD SAFETY STUDY LAUNCHED

More than 300 crashes in three years

Cape Argus12 May 2025THEOLIN TEMBO [email protected]
A FEASIBILITY study is under way to mitigate erring vehicles along Kloof Nek Road.

The road has become notorious for the high number of accidents which take place along the route.

Over a three-year period, more than 365 vehicle-related crashes involving 722 drivers were recorded, which has prompted calls for additional safety measures and for drivers to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy.

Among the major incidents was a tour bus that crashed into two vehicles and a wall on Kloof Nek Road in October, while a month earlier a cement truck appeared to lose control on Kloof Nek Road, hitting at least 17 cars before slamming into a wall.

The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate announced that it is working on implementing measures to assist in mitigating the impact of errant vehicles travelling down Kloof Nek Road.

The City said it is in the process of completing the feasibility study on the implementation of arrestor structures at strategic places along the road.

In the meantime, 18 Stay-in-Low-Gear warning signs have been erected to caution truck drivers in particular.

Mayco member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, said: “Kloof Nek Road is a Class 2 major arterial route, meaning it is an important access route that carries large volumes of traffic. Despite numerous requests, the City cannot restrict heavy vehicles given the functional classification of the road, and due to the fact that there are a limited number of access roads to and from the CBD to the Camps Bay area and beyond,” he said.

The City said the speed limit along Kloof Nek Road is 50km/h in both directions.

A recent investigation found the average speed for heavy vehicles was 51km/h northbound (downhill); and 47km/h southbound; and for light vehicles it was 57km/h northbound and 56km/h southbound.

The City said the investigation found that the majority of road users do not exceed the speed limit, however, there were isolated instances of speeding.

Quintas added: “At certain locations along Kloof Nek Road the gradient is as steep as 14%. It is the responsibility of each motorist to watch their speed and to ensure that their vehicle is roadworthy.

“By adhering to the new signs as well as ensuring your vehicle is fit to be on the road you can ensure your safety, as well as the safety of other road users on the road. We can significantly improve road safety if we all play our part, adhere to the speed limit and be cautious,” said Quintas.

Meanwhile, after 18 months, the Tafelberg Road rehabilitation project has been completed, providing access to the popular Table Mountain National Park and the Table Mountain aerial cableway.

Ward councillor Francine Higham said: “I encourage our residents and visitors to do this walk and appreciate the amazing work that has been done here. It is a significant upgrade and it provides safer access for pedestrians all the way from Kloof Nek Road right up to the cableway.”

The upgrades include a resurfaced road, wider verges, extended boardwalks, formalised paved parking areas and sidewalks, and an upgraded stormwater system that has retaining walls, gabions and infrastructure to assist with channelling runoff from rainfall events away from the road.

13/11/2024

The communities of Saldanha and Mitchells Plain are in mourning after a pair of twins gained their angel wings on the same day, following a car accident on Saturday evening.

12/04/2024

BACKLOG OF 750 BOXES OF LICENCE FORMS – MEC

Shortage of stationery could hit motorists hard

Cape Argus12 Apr 2024MANDILAKHE TSHWETE [email protected]

A CRITICAL shortage of motor vehicle and driving licence forms supplied to municipalities has sparked concern of a disastrous impact on motorists and the economy.

Mobility MEC Ricardo Mackenzie penned an open letter to Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga and Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi this week, saying the Western Cape currently had a backlog of 750 boxes of forms that have not been supplied, from orders placed on July 7 and September 21 last year.

If the province runs out of the forms, there will be no motor vehicle licence discs; no vehicle registration certificates; no temporary driving licences; and applicants who pass the test will not get their learners’ licences.

“I will get straight to the point. The critical shortage of the ‘face value forms’, supplied by the national Government Printing Works and used for issuing motor vehicle and driving licences will have a disastrous impact on our people and the economy,” Mackenzie said.

“Government Printing Works staff have recently attempted to placate us by dispatching a few boxes ‘just to keep (us) going for a week’, with the assurance that they are ‘working on a plan to clear all back orders’.

“The City of Cape Town, with the highest demand, is now alarmingly close to the end of its stocks.”

Mackenzie’s office confirmed that neither the Transport nor Home Affairs departments had acknowledged the letter by yesterday.

The ministries did not respond to the Cape Argus requests for comment by the time of going to print.

Safety and security Mayco member JP Smith said the City could not be blamed if a crisis erupted.

“Mackenzie is doing the responsible thing and telling everybody there’s a screw-up coming ahead that is not our making and I have been trying to get the minister to fix it.”

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) said it was “ridiculous” that law-abiding citizens had to suffer as a result.

Outa executive director of the accountability division, Stefanie Fick, said: “Motorists are dependent on government administrative processes and if the government is going to make rules, in other words you need a temporary licence, then they ought to make sure that there’s enough paper. It’s ridiculous. They’re the first people to pull you off and fine you for being without a licence.”

A vehicle registration and licence consultant in Brackenfell, Cheryl Sandmann, said they have felt the financial impact of the shortage.

As a consultant, Sandmann queues and obtains paying clients’ licences at offices on their behalf.

“We have to make photocopies, it depends on what office you go to, so it’s not as if it’s right through the province that you don’t get the forms.

“When you go to Green Point to pay fines or warrants, they don’t have papers.

“A runner I know has to bring their own photocopy paper with them.”

She said she hoped there would be a positive outcome from the letter to the ministers.

“If you go to Postnet and ask them to make you a copy of the application form, I think it’s about R1.50 a form, so it would depend on the number of renewals you were going to do for the day, as to how much it would cost for the ink and paper.”

06/09/2023

Over 1 million vehicle licence discs to expire this month

Cape Argus6 Sep 2023JOLENE MARRIAH-MAHARAJ [email protected]

RENEW your vehicle licence disc to avoid paying a penalty.
MORE than one million vehicle licence discs are due to expire this month, and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) encourages motor vehicle owners to renew and avoid penalties.

Spokesperson Simon Zwane said: “Numerous extensions to the motor vehicle licence expiry date, granted during the Covid-19 period, have resulted in a high number of renewals falling within August, September, October, November and December.”

He said 1 049 412 licences would expire this month, “and must be renewed by the end of the month”.

Zwane said the RTMC was sending email (with MVL1 forms) and SMS reminders every month.

“Vehicle owners are encouraged to update their email and telephone contact details at online.natis.gov.za to receive the reminders,” he said.

“Owners can renew on the same portal and have their motor vehicle licences delivered within three to five days.”

Zwane said there was a 21-day grace period after the expiry date.

“To avoid queues and time wasting, owners can fill in the form on-line and make the payment from the convenience of their homes.”

He said a licence would be couriered within three to five days.

Zwane said vehicle owners were encouraged to register, in five easy steps, their profiles at natis.gov.za.

“Those who have already registered can log in and finalise the renewal in less than 10 minutes,” he said.

08/08/2023

08/08/2023

Taxi Strike: JP Smith is lying, Cape Town’s road rules are draconian, says Zwelinzima Vavi

A vehicle was set alight at the N2 Borcherds Quarry Road turn-off in Nyanga during the unrest related to the ongoing taxi strike in Cape Town. Picture: Armand Hough / African News Agency (ANA)

Published

General secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), Zwelinzima Vavi has rubbished claims by City of Cape Town’s mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith, who insists the violence erupted as the City “precisely” enforced national laws.

By Monday, at least one person had died in the taxi strike-related violence engulfing Cape Town.

City of Cape Town, through Smith, has maintained that “political opportunists” are adding fire to the crippling taxi strike and violence which has rocked the coastal city, leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

In an interview with Newzroom Afrika on Monday night, Vavi hit back at Smith, saying the City of Cape Town has been unfairly targeting taxis.

“He (Smith) is not telling the truth. Saftu, every taxi association and driver in Cape Town and Western Cape as a whole are not advocating for lawlessness,” Vavi said in the televised interview.

“We are not asking for any favours from the city or from the Western Cape government. JP Smith is not telling the country the truth. Yes, there is the National Land Transport Act that should guide all of our provincial and local governments.”

General secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), Zwelinzima Vavi. File Photo: Antoine de Ras
That Act regulates the type of fines that should be issued for all the traffic offences.

“The difference, and what has complicated life for everybody in Cape Town is that they are not following the regulations from the National Land Transport Act. They are imposing their own, and the imposed regulations are draconian,” said Vavi.

“They are far more worse than you can imagine and when the taxi associations were seeking to engage the local government, they were simply told - we won’t talk, go to court.”

Vavi said the taxi associations have approached the courts and have been given a date in February 2024 for their challenges to the local road rules to be heard before the High Court in Cape Town.

“In the meantime, the regulations of the Cape Town city are saying if you do not wear a seatbelt, you do not get a fine, your car (taxi) gets impounded. On the first offence, you get to release your car at the rate of R7,000; on second offence R10,000; and third offence R15,000,” said Vavi.

Earlier on Monday, Smith told Newzroom Afrika that said there are unfortunate attempts by organisations including the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) to personalise the issue around him, and turn it into a political saga.

City of Cape Town’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith. File Picture: Jason Boud. Reporter: Asanda.
“There are political opportunists along this process who are trying to turn this into a political matter, precisely like Cosatu. We expect little other comment like that from Cosatu as it is the kind of line they take with every altercation, with every conflict that arises. They attempt to personalise it and turn it into a political matter,” said Smith.

“The truth is we are doing precisely our jobs. There is a piece of legislation called the National Transportation Act which says we have to take the lives of people on our roads and in public transport seriously. That we have to enforce the law and when rules are broken, we have to act. We are doing it diligently. We are doing exactly what the law says.”

Cosatu in the Western Cape has accused Smith of “weaponising taxi regulations” in the City of Cape Town against taxi operators.

Smith said he does not comprehend how the law enforcement can provoke acts of murder, vandalism, thuggery, arson, disruption and destruction of infrastructure.

He said the laws being enforced in Cape Town are not the city’s by-laws, but national laws.

“I am becoming distraught at the continuous repeating of this narrative of a by-law because it is not honest. It is an attempt at distorting the narrative and distorting what is happening here and it is purposeful,” said Smith.

Last week, Police Minister Bheki Cele lambasted Smith, as the taxi strike continued to flare up characterised by violent clashes.

Police Minister Bheki Cele has castigated JP Smith amid the violent strike. File Photo: Ayanda Ndamane / African News Agency (ANA)
Speaking to journalists during his tour of Riverlea in Joburg, Cele said he has been working with different stakeholders to resolve the problems engulfing the transport sector in Cape Town, and the violence.

“I read somewhere that JP Smith said Cele encouraged the taxi industry to go on strike. I do not want to talk with JP Smith, I think the guy needs serious psychological help. He needs serious psychological help,” said Cele who was accompanied by several SAPS management.

IOL

08/08/2023

Why Santaco views taxi strike as more than just a fight against a new City of Cape Town by-law

Story by Velani Ludidi

SA National Taxi Council members went on strike primarily in response to a new City of Cape Town by-law, which has led to large numbers of taxis being impounded. But the industry and government in Western Cape have long been in conflict over the taxi sector’s role.

Since Thursday, the City of Cape Town has been engulfed by violence with the loss of at least four lives. South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) members in the Western Cape went on strike on Thursday over what it called “frivolous [taxi] impoundment operations by the government”.

The strike will last until Wednesday, 9 August, said Santaco.

While the focal point of the strike was the City of Cape Town’s new traffic by-law, which came into effect in July, the relationship between Santaco and the municipality has long been hostile.

Santaco believes that the city does not recognise the industry as a business that is providing valuable public transport services in areas where the government is failing to do so.

What exactly is the new traffic by-law?
Under the National Road Traffic Act of 1996, a driver who is not carrying their licence is given a fine and allowed to go. But under the new traffic by-law, drivers get a fine for not carrying their licence and, in addition, their vehicle is impounded.

Other offences that now result in both a fine and a vehicle being impounded include missing number plates or not having number plates securely fixed in place, unroadworthy vehicles, vehicles with defective lights, or vehicles that aren’t up to original SABS specifications and have been illegally modified.

The by-law also covers participating in illegal street racing.

“With the harsh action intended to bring about lasting reform, the amended traffic by-law is the long-awaited answer to the majority of lawful motorists who long to see an improvement in road safety,” explained JP Smith, the mayoral committee member for safety and security.

He said the city had been impounding between 900 and 1,200 taxis a month for more than a year.

Santaco claims that the by-law is specifically designed to target the taxi industry, which Smith denies.

“It must be noted that since the beginning of the year, 6,000 taxis have been impounded, which amounts to 1,000 taxis a month,” said Mandla Hermanus, Santaco’s Western Cape chairperson.

“The numbers mentioned above paint a very clear picture of what we as the taxi industry have been saying all along: these operations are nothing more than a deliberate attempt to destroy the taxi industry in the province with no regard to the impact that this action will have on the communities that we service.”

Santaco’s demands include:

A moratorium on the Conditions of Operations on the Operating Licences, the city’s regulatory process that manages taxi permits, while Santaco returns to the Minibus Task Team.

That the city releases a schedule of tables for fineable offences and offences that lead to vehicles being impounded, with a clear distinction between the two.

Dedicated bus lanes must be extended to taxis and monitored, as they are for the MyCiTi bus service. Cones would be acceptable in the interim.

Out-of-bounds routes should be clearly defined so taxi drivers know where they are not allowed to operate.

For the city to reconsider impoundments for obstruction, as there are a limited number of stopping bays for taxis.

Reduced impoundment fee amounts, in line with other provinces.
The Traffic Court in Green Point must simplify the release process from Ndabeni, where vehicles are impounded.

The opening and closing times of the Traffic Court must be extended.

Vehicles must be released before “paying warrants”.
Before paying the fine, allow the vehicle to be released on payment of impoundment fees, allowing the operator to defend him or herself in court.

Government’s response

The City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government have offered to cease impoundments for minor infringements but want more discussions on the issue of permits. They also committed to release vehicles impounded for minor infringements under the new by-law.

Santaco, according to sources at the negotiations, wants to go further and have taxis that were impounded for serious infringements released.

The parties do not seem to agree on taxis having dedicated lanes.

Regarding the issue of permits, there are many areas that have been developed in Cape Town with no public transport routes established. Santaco members operate in these areas without permits and when stopped by officials they are fined. This is despite the fact that there are no other available transport options for commuters.

Santaco is challenging the by-law in court and the matter is due to be heard in February 2024.

Biggest public transporter
The taxi industry is the biggest public transporter of people in South Africa and completes an estimated 1.5 million passenger trips per day in the Western Cape alone, with approximately 15 million per day across the country.

Bus services MyCiTi and Golden Arrow transport a fraction of those numbers yet get the lion’s share of government subsidies in the province. Golden Arrow is reportedly receiving about R1.1-billion in the 2022/23 financial year. MyCiTi gets R1.3-billion from the Public Transport Network Grant and Go-George receives R191-million.

MyCiTi shut down routes after fuel price increases last year, but the taxi industry did not do so despite not being subsidised.

The reason given for the taxi industry not being subsidised by provincial and national governments is that the industry is not formalised.

Blue Dot disappointment

In late 2020, the Western Cape government initiated the Blue Dot pilot project, the first of its kind in South Africa.

Hailed as a game-changer, the project rewarded drivers by analysing the data from onboard trackers fitted to participating vehicles, monitoring routes and considering feedback from passengers and other members of the public. On-board Wi-Fi allowed passengers to rate drivers and their service.

It was also seen as a way to formalise the minibus taxi industry, enabling it to be subsidised by the government. But the project, which had been seen as a success, ceased operations on 30 November last year because of a lack of funding. DM

07/08/2023

City of Cape Town to sidestep AartoAs implementation date is set – again.

By Moneyweb 7 Aug 2023

The city plans to use Aarto only for speed enforcement, and provincial legislation and municipal by-laws for other contraventions. Image: Nadine Hutton/BloombergThe city plans to use Aarto only for speed enforcement, and provincial legislation and municipal by-laws for other contraventions. Image: Nadine Hutton/Bloomberg

The controversial Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Act with its points demerit system will take effect on 1 July 2024, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has announced.

The City of Cape Town has a plan, however, to largely avoid implementing it within its area of jurisdiction, said JP Smith, the mayoral committee member for safety and security.

The countrywide implementation of Aarto has been pending for 25 years, Chikunga said, with pilot projects in Johannesburg and Pretoria running for years but without the points demerit system.

Government has repeatedly announced implementation dates, only to postpone them later. The latest delay came after the high court found Aarto to be unconstitutional. This finding was, however, overturned by the Constitutional Court in July.

“We have engaged with the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) to assess our state of readiness for [the] accelerated rollout of Aarto across all municipalities in the country. We are pleased that our progress on the eve of the constitutional challenge enables us to target July 1, 2024, for the nationwide rollout of Aarto,” Chikunga said.

The RTIA is an agency of the Department of Transport tasked with administering Aarto.

Aarto is aimed at lightening the burden on the courts by replacing judicial enforcement with an administrative process. It is promoted as a way of getting repeat offenders off the roads by having the licences of drivers suspended when they have more than a set number of demerit points.

The pilot projects in Tshwane and Johannesburg have, however, shown little evidence of improved road safety and were associated with administrative problems.

Key issues

One of the key issues was the service of documents through the dysfunctional Post Office. Motorists often did not receive contravention notices, and the matter would then be escalated automatically to a point where an enforcement order would be issued.

During the pilot phase, this would result in an increased fine – but once the demerit system is a reality, it could cost a motorist their driver’s licence.

Government has tried to remove some of the pitfalls by amending the Aarto Act and providing for electronic service of documents by, for example, e-mail.

Read: Post Office contributes to R3bn licensing fraud loss

The Automobile Association (AA), the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) and various other role players in the transport industry are sceptical that the RTIA and other relevant government agencies will be able to cope with the significant administrative burden.

They point out that the loss of a driver’s licence due to administrative bungling is a huge risk that may cost an individual their job and paralyse whole fleets.

RTIA spokesperson Monde Mkalipi confirmed the tribunal that will consider representations still has to be appointed, but progress is being made in this regard. In addition, the nine provincial MECs for transport must sign off on the implementation. That of the Western Cape is still outstanding.

The City of Cape Town has also, for a long time, been strongly opposed to Aarto, but Smith said this is no longer a problem.
Options

According to Smith, recent legislative amendments allow municipalities, where provincial laws or municipal by-laws cover the same contraventions, to elect whether they use those laws or Aarto for enforcement.

These are in place in the Western Cape and Cape Town. “We got a legal opinion from senior [counsel] that confirms our interpretation. We have decided to use Aarto only for speed enforcement, but moving violations will be dealt with in terms of the provincial legislation and municipal by-laws.”

He believes there is enough time before 1 July 2024 for other municipalities to adopt similar by-laws to avoid switching to Aarto.

“If we see the RTIA is struggling with the administration and Aarto does not work, we will adopt by-laws to enforce speed limits as well.”

Advocate Stefanie Fick, executive director of the accountability division at Outa, has encouraged municipalities to follow Cape Town’s example.

“Municipalities countrywide are going to lose money because a large portion of the revenue from Aarto fines goes to the RTIA. In addition, they must incur significant costs for the infrastructure to implement Aarto. They must do what is necessary to ensure successful law enforcement,” she said.

Aarto is extremely complex, and fleet managers especially will carry greater risk. The operator will also incur demerit points based on the conduct of its drivers. “That may result in a ban on the operations of the whole fleet due to the misconduct of a few drivers. That can destroy a company overnight,” Fick said.

Accountability a two-way street

Cornelia van Niekerk, owner of Fines4U, which manages traffic fines on behalf of 1 600 businesses and 12 000 individual drivers, pointed out that the strict timelines in the Aarto process do not only apply to motorists but authorities as well.

This was confirmed in an earlier court ruling obtained by the company on behalf of its clients.

“If you did something wrong, you must pay, but we keep an eye on the authorities to ensure a fair and lawful process. Often it is not the case, and then we insist that the relevant fines be cancelled,” she said.