Thousands queue in Athlone as Cape Town’s traffic fine roadshow processes nearly R16m in fines and representations ahead of the Easter weekend.
Image: Supplied
Cape Town motorists queued in their thousands to settle outstanding traffic fines and warrants at a recent City roadshow in Athlone, with nearly R16 million processed through payments and fine representations.
The City of Cape Town said more than 3 600 people attended the six-day outreach, which forms part of a series of roadshows hosted three to four times a year to help residents resolve traffic-related matters closer to home.
The initiative, run in partnership with the City’s Municipal Courts, Revenue Services and other internal departments, is designed as a “one-stop shop” where motorists can pay fines, address warrants and submit representations to reduce penalties.
During the latest event, over R4.1 million was paid directly in fines, while a further R11.5 million was recorded through representations.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said the growing turnout highlighted both the demand for accessible services and the scale of traffic violations across the city.
“The traffic fine roadshow is clearly growing in popularity and our Traffic Service will continue to take these payment opportunities to communities. The turnout is a reminder once more of the sheer number of driving transgressions and related fines generated on a daily basis,” he said.
Smith urged motorists to use the experience as a lesson to comply with road rules going forward.
“So, while we are grateful to those members of the public who have now handled their business, we sincerely hope that the hours in the queue and the money that was parted with are enough motivation to pay closer attention to the rules of the road.”
The roadshow comes ahead of the busy Easter long weekend, when traffic volumes typically increase and authorities ramp up road safety enforcement.
Smith said motorists who had cleared outstanding fines would be able to pass through roadblocks and vehicle checkpoints without concern, while those who had not were encouraged to use existing payment channels to avoid complications.
The City reminded residents that traffic fines and warrants can also be managed through its online and in-person payment systems, and encouraged motorists to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and to exercise caution over the holiday period.