Motorists not obliged to pay fines at roadblocks, association warns

Kiswahili

The National Motorist Association of South Africa has urged drivers to resist pressure from traffic officers demanding immediate payment of fines at roadblocks. Many motorists report being threatened with arrest for refusing to pay on the spot. The Johannesburg Metro Police Department confirms that such payments are optional and not legally required.

The National Motorist Association of South Africa (NMA) has received numerous complaints from drivers stopped at roadblocks and pressured to settle traffic fines immediately or face arrest. This issue has arisen amid heightened police presence on roads following the festive season. NMA Chief Executive Officer Bobby Gage emphasized that no law requires on-the-spot payment. "Do I have to pay the fine immediately, the short answer is no. Roadblocks may offer an option to pay a fine on the spot but payment is not compulsory. It’s a convenience, not a legal requirement. Being pressured and threatened with arrest if they don’t pay immediately that is not how the law works," Gage stated.

The association reports that nine out of ten motorists encounter intimidation at these checkpoints. One frustrated driver in Johannesburg shared, “It’s not right what they are doing. I am not scared to drive because they want us to pay on the spot.” Under the Criminal Procedure Act of 1977, only a court officer can issue an arrest warrant, not traffic police.

The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) has acknowledged the rising complaints and clarified motorists' rights. Spokesperson Xolani Fihla said, “The JMPD has noted with concern the growing confusion regarding the payment of outstanding traffic fines at roadsides check points and roadblocks and wishes to provide definitive clarification and to ensure that all motorists are aware of their legal rights and the department’s protocols. JMPD often provides mobile payment facilities and smart buses at roadblocks. Choosing not to pay at these is within their legal rights and should not result in the arrest.”

NMA advises drivers to assert their rights and insist on a court-issued warrant if threatened. While roadblocks offer convenient payment options, they remain voluntary.

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