Traffic Fine

[Azrael]

So, what do I get when I open my mail today? A R1000 surprise. Now the real kicker: it's from 29 October 2004!?

It's actually not the fine itself but a reminder to pay, from the Beaufort-West municipality. According to which if I fail to "pay the outstanding amount immediately a summons or a warrant of arrest has been or will be issued"

I can remember visiting Beaufort-West round about that time, but this is the first mention of a R1000 fine. Surely they can't expect me to pay a now almost 3 year old fine, especially as this is the first word I've heard about it? I've had to renew my vehicle license 2 times since 2004, both times there were no mention of any outstanding amounts.

What would one do in a case such as this?

[rwenzori]

Save yourself R2000 worth of hassle and pay it.

[Voldemort]

Motioned seconded and passed- dont get smart with the law, its not always on your side.

[Hot_Chocolate]

how bout going to them and asking to reduce it? I sure it should be do-able...?

[Freshy-ZN]

Id ignore it....

[bwana]

I ignore them all until they get hand delivered - then I pay them immediately.

[Syndyre]

I ignore them all until they get hand delivered - then I pay them immediately.

Yeah they can't issue an arrest warrant without some proof you've received notification.

[kilo39]

Sounds like a scam to me.

AFAIK traffic fines are supposed to be delivered within 30 days: if not it is not legal. See if the AA will give you some advice or phone your local traffic department? Look on http://www.speedtraps.co.za/ or try get some legal advice? Phone the issuing authority?

A fine should have an admission of guilt option not a reminder to pay.

[GTi]

Sounds like a scam to me.

AFAIK traffic fines are supposed to be delivered within 30 days: if not it is not legal. See if the AA will give you some advice or phone your local traffic department? Look on http://www.speedtraps.co.za/ or try get some legal advice? Phone the issuing authority?

A fine should have an admission of guilt option not a reminder to pay.

That's what I thought, but could not prove it, so I said nothing.What I know and heard: If a fine is posted to u after 30 day of the offence then it is illegal and considered invalid.

[Voldemort]

I ignore them all until they get hand delivered - then I pay them immediately.

LMAO

[ajax]

My boss says he only pays when gets the summons and then he writes them a letter stating why the fine should be halved and sends a cheque for half the amount. He says his cheques always get cashed.

[kapovski]

Don't debts prescribe after 3 years? If you can proove you knew nothing about this until November 2007 then you don't need to pay.... I think.

[Moederloos]

Don't debts prescribe after 3 years? If you can proove you knew nothing about this until November 2007 then you don't need to pay.... I think.

It is not a debt AFAIK.

I think the three years for debts is correct though.

[xrapidx]

... ignore it until the summons... I think they have only three years to get you into court..

[Juggy]

Don't debts prescribe after 3 years? If you can proove you knew nothing about this until November 2007 then you don't need to pay.... I think.

It's 5 years. And they don't simply dissappear, you get taken off ITC by the company you had the debt with but they keep it on record. You never get credit with them again.

It happened to me with First National about 12 years ago.