Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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Apparently, according to the media, Johannesburg motorists will not be prosecuted for any offences since 22 December. After the Transport Minister intervened and said that courtesy letters, about fines, had to be sent via registered post and not via normal post, things started going haywire. It allegedly costs about R7,5 million a month to send out some 450 000 fines each month by registered post, but only 10% of the motorists paid their fines.
As a result of the strike by the Post Office and the high cost of sending these registered post letters, RTIA took a decision to suspend the issuing of courtesy letters until the Post Office can confirm they can improve the delivery of those letters – meaning that if the letters don’t go out, the fines will not have to be paid – at least at this time. They are apparently also unable to issue warrants of arrest, as the software for eNatis is not working. They also don’t have the software developed to upload the outcome of the case onto the National Contravention Register. Apparently eNatis can also only supply the initials of offenders, something that the courts will not accept because many people could have the same surname and initial and the system is now not able to provide the full first name of an offender, so apparently hundreds of cases get struck off the eNatis court roll every day. It all sounds like a mess, and is made worse in that fines paid to the SA Post Office since 2008 have apparently not been redistributed and simply form part of the local Municipalities’ funds – so up to R10 million worth of funds that are due to the Jo’burg and Tshwane Municipalities apparently lie in the hands of smaller municipalities but then again, the Jo’burg and Tshwane Municipalities do not pay over money paid to them on behalf of the other Municipalities because there is no accounting or reconciliation system in place between the traffic and issuing authorities. It all sounds like a complete and incompetent mess! (and I wouldn’t take it for granted, in a mess like this, either that you don’t have to pay those fines – I’ll certainly be paying mine if I get any)
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Friday 07-Jun-13
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Comments
Lucretia said:
on Thursday 13-Jun-13 03:11 PM
If they cannot even run something so simple, how on earth are they going to manage e-toll. Man alive, talk about wasted money.
Sarah said:
on Wednesday 12-Jun-13 11:15 AM
I am really not surprise, then people wonder why everyone is going overseas these days. We need a better system in this country.
melissa said:
on Tuesday 11-Jun-13 07:55 AM
They are easy to give fines, but they are usually the ones that don't obey the traffic rules...
Brenda said:
on Monday 10-Jun-13 04:32 PM
Incompetent yes, careless yes!! But yet, I am still petrified of being pulled over in a road block! Being the company proxy with all the vehicles' fines on your name is quite nerve wrecking, and although the fines are getting paid regularly, it still creates such fear within me when I see a major road block!
It is not the being arrested part that frightens me and it is now quite clear that one cannot be arrested at a road block, but the intimidation of motorists by traffic officers. With me being a woman, one that drives alone a lot, I am a target for intimidation and that is what petrifies me the most!
It is very sad that a motorist has to fear traffic officers and the police!!
Cherise said:
on Monday 10-Jun-13 03:21 PM
I would really not like to talk about fines after paying an insane amount on fines from traveling to and from Cape Town with someone else's car, but at least its done with and so are mine paid, its best to be safe on the road because they have become really strict.
My cousin got a fine last week and the week before that and she has already been sent both letters asking her to fetch it from the Post office.
moenisha said:
on Monday 10-Jun-13 08:01 AM
This is just so bad because it is always something and the more you pay the more they want
Tanya - The T said:
on Friday 07-Jun-13 02:08 PM
I always pay my fines when I receive them because it reminds me; with ensuing brokenness; that there is a reason we have a speed limit. Its sad however to know that that money is being badly managed and squandered.
salomie said:
on Friday 07-Jun-13 10:07 AM
I am not surprised, doesnt look like anything will be changing soon. Very sad
Angelique said:
on Friday 07-Jun-13 08:41 AM
How annoying to read this after I have already paid all my fines up to date... which was rather a large chunk out of my pocket. Nonetheless I'm glad its done so that I wont be receiving any summons or more dreaded letters in the post! I'd much rather be safe than sorry!
liesl said:
on Friday 07-Jun-13 08:38 AM
It does not come as a surprise that yet another system in this country is a mess
Julie said:
on Friday 07-Jun-13 08:31 AM
I am at a loss of words too. Is there any governmental institution that actually DO operate successfully? No structure - no capable heads of department - slumbering and lazy staff - down, down, down....
Brumilde said:
on Friday 07-Jun-13 08:28 AM
More shocking than anything else
Sorea said:
on Friday 07-Jun-13 08:11 AM
I cannot even say that I am surprised by fact that the systems are imploding and leading to this mess. When funds necessary to maintain and upgrade these systems are "diverted" to other "causes" this is the inevitable result.
Juliet said:
on Friday 07-Jun-13 08:08 AM
Good news, I will ignore the one I had. I don't feel a thing about it when every evening the lights on the freeway don't work and we pay pay pay!!!!
Kaylee said:
on Friday 07-Jun-13 08:02 AM
It just shows how each municipal office relies on other municipal offices, they are need to work in direct harmony. The post office strike had a ripple effect on so many other sectors. I will still be paying my fines
Alexis said:
on Friday 07-Jun-13 07:46 AM
If you do the crim - then you should pay the fine. I actually have no words to this - it is remarkable how this country is operated - I mean seriously. And you wonder why people leave - for a controlled system that works for you and the country in which you live in
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
