One area generated R19.5 million in traffic fines in South Africa

Over the past five financial years, over R19.52 million has been generated through fines issued at OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa.

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi recently revealed this figure in response to a parliamentary question from the DA’s Mathew Cuthbert.

She outlined that, over the past five financial years, from 2019/20 to 2023/24, R19,524,244.21 has been generated through fines at OR Tambo International Airport.

The largest portion of this total was generated through fines in the 2019/20 financial year, with R8.78 million. This is followed by 2021/22, at R4.05 million.

In South Africa, two traffic fine systems operate concurrently — the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) and the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO).

Fines SA explains that the CPA system handles traffic violations as criminal offences with the possibility of court trials and criminal records, but does not use a demerit points system.

In contrast, AARTO focuses on the administrative handling of traffic offences and offers a streamlined process for dealing with fines. From September 2025 onwards, it will include a demerit points system. 

The AARTO system is only used in Gauteng, specifically in Johannesburg and Tshwane, but will eventually be implemented nationwide.

In April this year, the Automobile Association outlined ten common traffic fines in South Africa. The top three were speeding, ignoring stop signs and traffic lights, and using phones while driving.

These top three are followed by offences like not wearing seat belts, driving under the influence, reckless and negligent driving, illegal parking, and driving without a valid licence.

In June 2024, Statistics South Africa published its financial census of local municipalities for the year ending June 2023.

This report revealed that government transfers and subsidies, at 27.7%, were the most significant contributors to the total municipal revenue of R517 billion – total revenue less deficit – for the year ended 30 June 2023.

This was followed by electricity sales at 25.6%, property rates received at 16,6% and “other revenue” at 12.7%.

“Other revenue” consists of fines, penalties and forfeits, licences and permits, other transfers and subsidies. In 2023, municipalities made around R6.26 billion from fines, penalties and forfeits.

Higher fines for South Africans

BusinessTech reported earlier this year that the Department of Transport wants to increase traffic fines and potentially force payment during licence renewal.

The aim of this is to stop people from breaking road rules, particularly in light of a big increase in road deaths during the 2024/25 festive season.

Over this period, South Africa saw 1,502 people lose their lives in 1,234 crashes – over 5% more deaths and 4.2% more crashes than the previous festive season.

Six provinces, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, Northern Cape, and North West, reported increased road deaths. Creecy explained that human behaviour caused 87% of crashes.

This includes offences like hit-and-runs, jaywalking, driving while tired, speeding, drunk driving, and dangerous overtaking.

“The number of people dying has gone up because of bad behaviour. We’ve warned people, but too many drivers and pedestrians still act irresponsibly,” Creecy said.

To combat this, Creecy considered Australia’s approach to road offences. “Instead of taking away licenses or giving people criminal records, Australia gives heavy fines to stop bad driving,” she said.

Creecy said South Africa should do the same by implementing stricter rules like making people pay fines when renewing their car or driver’s licences and increasing the fine amount.

“If we hit people’s wallets hard enough, even the most stubborn drivers will think twice,” she said.

This article was first published by Daily Investor and is reproduced with permission.