Thank you! City of Cape Town applauds increased accountability from motorists

The City has ramped up its Traffic Fine Roadshows since December 2023, with thousands of motorists coming to the party. These initiatives, along with increased actions against scofflaws, have resulted in a shift in traffic fine income. Read more below:

The City has hosted four traffic fine roadshows since December 2023, for motorists to make enquiries about outstanding fines, negotiate reductions and settle outstanding fines and warrants. 

The statistics for the consolidated roadshows, including the most recent one in Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain, are:

• 7 387 clients engaged
• 69 979 representations made in terms of outstanding fines and warrants
• Value of these fines and warrants: R21 553 743,10

"South Africa has a chronically low traffic fine payment rate. For years, the City has chipped away at this, introducing measures to encourage compliance. In some cases, we’ve had to play hardball, particularly where motorists have reams of outstanding warrants and no intention of paying. I firmly believe that the publicity around arrests of scofflaws on our list of Top 100 offenders, as well as the conversations and interest that the roadshows have generated, have contributed to increased compliance – at least in terms of fine payments. Sadly, too many motorists continue to break the law, so we have some work to do still in the area of changing driving behaviour to ensure our roads are safer."

- Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member - Safety and Security Smith

Preliminary indications are that the City has recorded a 57% increase in traffic fine income in the 2023/24 financial year, at just over R331 million, up from just over R211 million the previous year.

During the same period, the Traffic Service executed 99 965 warrants.

"The Safety & Security Portfolio Committee welcomes the improvement. We commend all the departments involved, particularly those involved in the roadshows, which have brought services closer to the public, and motivated many to come forward and clear the slate. I also want to thank those members of the public who are taking accountability for their actions, by settling their fines. These initiatives are driven by the desire for safer roads and fewer fatalities; the directorate doesn’t benefit from the increased income."

- Mzwakhe Nqavashe, Chairperson - Safety and Security Portfolio Committee

At least two more roadshows are pencilled in for the remainder of the calendar year. 

Details and venues will be announced at a later stage.

General information - traffic fines

• The City has numerous payment channels available here. 
• Motorists can make representations to have fines reduced or withdrawn, depending on the circumstances.
• Infringement notifications and payment reminders are sent directly to motorists via SMS.
• Motorists can check whether they have any outstanding fines by visiting www.payfines.co.za. The
• Traffic Service has a dedicated team that works to track down offenders on the Top 100 warrants list.
• Officers are able to use their handheld devices and Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to track down offenders at vehicle checkpoints, roadblocks or while doing roving patrols. 
• Motorists with outstanding fines/warrants will also have an Admin Mark attached to their profile on the Natis system, which means they are unable to renew vehicle licences or register a vehicle until their fines and warrants have been finalised. 
  The number of traffic roadshows has been increased to bring services closer to the public, in a central location.
  The City has also introduced traffic buses that visit malls and other high-traffic areas, where motorists can enquire about/settle fines.