The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison has confirmed that the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO) has been implemented from 1 July in eight municipal areas, a move that shifts how traffic infringements are dealt with and may ultimately impede some motorists from renewing driving and vehicle licences.
Where AARTO is now active
According to the department, AARTO is in operation in the following municipal areas:
| Municipality | Implementation date |
|---|---|
| City of Mbombela | 1 July |
| Nkomazi | 1 July |
| Thaba Chweu | 1 July |
| Steve Tshwete | 1 July |
| Emalahleni | 1 July |
| Thembisile Hani | 1 July |
| Govan Mbeki | 1 July |
| Lekwa | 1 July |
The department said traffic authorities in those areas will no longer issue Section 56 or Section 341 notices under the Criminal Procedure Act for new infringements. Only infringement notices issued under AARTO will be used for new cases.
New deadlines and consequences for motorists
Under the AARTO process outlined by the department, motorists who receive an AARTO infringement notice have 32 days to respond. Those who pay an admitted infringement within that period qualify for a 50% reduction in the penalty.
Other options available under the scheme include:
- Nominating the person who was driving the vehicle at the time of the infringement;
- Applying to pay in instalments for infringements with penalties of R750 or more;
- Following the adjudication process if disputing an infringement.
The department warned that motorists who fail to act within the initial 32 days will receive a courtesy letter, lose the discount and incur additional administrative fees. They will then be given another 32 days before an enforcement order could be issued.
"Only infringement notices issued in terms of AARTO will be used," the department said.
Outstanding Criminal Procedure Act notices still enforceable
The department emphasised that notices issued under the Criminal Procedure Act prior to 1 July have not been cancelled. Motorists remain responsible for settling any outstanding pre-existing notices, the statement said.
This clarification is significant because, for many motorists, the transition to the AARTO system creates uncertainty about whether older fines have been nullified. The department’s position is clear: those fines remain enforceable and must be addressed separately from AARTO infringement notices.
Context: road safety pressures in Mpumalanga
The announcement comes as Mpumalanga continues to contend with a high number of fatal crashes on both provincial and national routes. Recent road safety data show that the province records hundreds of deaths on its roads each year. Provincial authorities framed the AARTO rollout as part of efforts to strengthen enforcement and reduce dangerous driving that contributes to these fatalities.
Local residents and road users should take note: the shift to AARTO alters not only the form of notices they may receive, but also the timelines for response and the financial consequences of non‑compliance. Motorists who normally ignore traffic notices may now face stricter enforcement and additional administrative costs, and persistent defaulters could ultimately be blocked from renewing licences.
Practical steps for motorists
To avoid escalation, the department’s guidance implies a few practical steps for motorists travelling through the affected municipalities:
- Open and respond to any traffic notices promptly—note the 32‑day response window for AARTO notices;
- Consider paying admitted infringements early to benefit from the 50% discount;
- If disputing a notice, follow the prescribed adjudication process within the stipulated timeframes;
- Clear any outstanding notices issued under the Criminal Procedure Act before 1 July to avoid separate enforcement action.
As Mpumalanga intensifies enforcement through AARTO in these municipalities, motorists should familiarise themselves with the new procedures and timelines to avoid escalated fines and possible licence issues. Local traffic departments and municipal offices can provide further guidance on how to respond to specific notices.
Nomsa Mahlangu, Mpumalanga Correspondent (Mbombela)
