Concerns have surfaced regarding the increasing perception that Gauteng’s Metro Police and Traffic Police are using roadblocks primarily as revenue-collection points rather than public safety measures.

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The issue was flagged by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety during a recent meeting. Members questioned Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni about claims that these roadblocks often resemble “mobile Post Offices” focusing on printing and delivering fines rather than curbing crime.

Focus on Fines Over Crime Prevention

According to the committee, motorists are frequently stopped not for unsafe driving, illegal firearms, or unroadworthy vehicles, but simply to be handed notices of unpaid fines.

“Residents want to see roadblocks that keep them safe, not ones that only act as revenue collection systems,” the committee stressed. They further noted that such operations create traffic congestion and public frustration without addressing key crime and safety issues.

The committee insisted that roadblocks should serve as crime-fighting tools targeting wanted suspects, illegal firearms, and drug trafficking, while also ensuring compliance with road safety regulations.

Allegations of Daily Fine Quotas

Adding to the controversy, the Democratic Alliance (DA) recently alleged that the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) instructed its officers to collect at least R7,000 in traffic fines daily.

DA spokesperson for community safety, Michael Sun, claimed this practice pressured officers to issue fines rather than focus on law enforcement, crime prevention, and traffic management. “This effectively turns law enforcement into a revenue-generating system rather than a public safety service,” he said.

While the JMPD denied the quota allegations, spokesperson Xolani Fihla defended the roadblocks, insisting their purpose is road safety and order. He emphasised that while issuing fines is part of an officer’s role, “there is no quota system in place.”

Do Motorists Need to Pay on the Spot?

The debate also touched on whether motorists are forced to pay fines at roadblocks. Fihla clarified that there is no legal requirement to pay immediately. However, he encouraged motorists to do so, explaining that unpaid fines can eventually block licence renewals and vehicle registrations.

“We use roadblocks for different purposes from crime prevention and traffic violations to outstanding fines. At a JMPD roadblock, you are not obliged to pay on the spot, but settling fines early avoids long queues and administrative issues,” he said.

Despite this, critics argue that motorists already have multiple ways to settle fines through online systems or banking platforms which questions the necessity of using roadblocks primarily for fine collection.

Public Safety vs. Revenue Generation

The ongoing debate highlights a growing concern: are Gauteng’s roadblocks truly enhancing public safety, or are they being repurposed as a financial mechanism?

With rising claims of fine-focused operations, many residents and lawmakers are calling for a shift back to the core purpose of roadblocks tackling crime, keeping unfit vehicles off the road, and ensuring safer communities.