In a surprising revelation, more than R19.5 million has been collected in traffic fines at O.R. Tambo International Airport over the past five years. This figure was disclosed by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, in response to a parliamentary inquiry by the Democratic Alliance.

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Between the 2019/2020 and 2023/2024 financial years, fines issued for traffic violations at Gauteng’s busiest airport amounted to a staggering R19,524,244.21. Notably, nearly 44% of this total — approximately R8.78 million — was generated in the 2019/2020 financial year alone. The second-highest year, 2021/2022, contributed another R4.05 million in fines.

Two Systems Governing Fines

South Africa operates under two different systems for managing traffic offences: the Criminal Procedures Act (CPA) and the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act.

The CPA system, used countrywide, treats violations as criminal offences. Offenders may face court appearances and even criminal records. However, this system does not include a demerit points mechanism.
The AARTO Act, currently limited to Johannesburg and Tshwane, aims to simplify fine administration. It introduces a demerit points system, which is scheduled for national rollout in September 2025.

Fines: A Key Revenue Stream

Traffic fines aren’t just about law enforcement—they’re a major source of income for municipalities. According to Stats SA’s 2024 financial census, “other revenue”—which includes fines, penalties, and forfeits—made up 12.7% of municipal income for the year ending June 2023. Within this category, R6.26 billion was collected from fines and related penalties.

To put it in context, property rates accounted for 16.6% of municipal income—just 4% more than fines and similar revenue streams.

Tougher Measures on the Horizon

The Department of Transport is pushing for stricter enforcement and harsher penalties in an effort to reduce the country’s high rate of road fatalities. One proposal includes blocking the renewal of vehicle licence discs for drivers who haven’t paid their outstanding fines.

These measures are part of a broader campaign to address rising road deaths, particularly following the 2024/2025 festive season, during which over 1,500 people died in 1,234 crashes—a 5% increase compared to the previous year.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy attributed most road deaths to irresponsible human behaviour, including drunk driving, speeding, and reckless overtaking. “We’ve warned people, but too many drivers and pedestrians still act irresponsibly,” she stated.

Creecy suggested South Africa could benefit from adopting an Australian-style model where steep financial penalties replace criminal charges or licence confiscation. “If we hit people’s wallets hard enough, even the most stubborn drivers will think twice,” she argued.

Controversial Alcohol Proposal

Adding to the push for reform, Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa proposed integrating the Road Accident Fund Levy into the cost of alcoholic beverages. The goal is to discourage reckless drinking and driving by making alcohol consumption more costly and closely linked to road safety accountability.

“If you hit the pocket, you make quite a significant stride towards ensuring that there’s a second thought to how people conduct themselves and how they drink their alcohol,” Hlengwa said.

With over R19 million in fines issued at a single airport and a growing call for tougher consequences, the message from South African authorities is clear: reckless road behaviour will no longer be tolerated, and financial accountability may soon become the primary tool in the fight for safer roads.