City sounds a warning to scofflaws as warrant arrests increase by 36,2%
11 November 2023
Of the nearly 100 000 warrants executed for unpaid traffic fines and contempt of court in the previous financial year, 40 321 motorists ended up behind bars. This represented an increase of 36,2% year-on-year. Read more below:
Motorists can settle a fine when they've received the infringement notice. Alternatively, they have the option to go to court on a specified date in the infringement notice to state their case.
Failure to do so results in a summons being issued, and continued non-compliance sees a warrant of arrest being generated for contempt of court.
Between July 2022 and June 2023, the City's Traffic Service executed 95 710 warrants.
While it was slightly down on the warrants executed in the previous year, the number of motorists arrested increased from 29 592 to 40 321.
'There are many motorists who take responsibility for their actions and pay their fines timeously, and we thank them. Then there are those for whom fine payment is perhaps more of a challenge, whether it be the process of paying, or perhaps financial reasons. But we also need to accept that there are some motorists who simply do not want to pay. They have no regard for law and order, rack up infringements on a regular basis, and are very confident that they will not be caught. They are the reason why we have a Top 100 offenders list.
'The processes that our Traffic Officers have to abide by do make it tricky to execute warrants, but I think that scofflaws should sit up and take note of these statistics, because the odds of being caught are shifting,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Traditionally, warrant executions relied on tracking and tracing operations.
However, with the introduction of handheld EPIC devices several years ago, officers are now able to check during a routine traffic stop whether a motorist has outstanding warrants.
The rollout of Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology also allows officers to scan licence plates on the go, to check for outstanding warrants or other infringements.
'We also use the ANPR technology at roadblocks and vehicle checkpoints, and generally, there is an increase in roadblocks as part of our festive season road safety efforts, so please settle your fines and make arrangements for outstanding warrants. It pays to be proactive, instead of being caught on the back foot,' said Alderman Smith.
Motorists can check whether they have fines or warrants by visiting www.paythat.co.za
Alternatively, there are numerous other payment channels, details of which are available here: https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Pay/Driving-and-vehicles/Fines/Pay-your-traffic-fine
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
