Eight municipalities in Mpumalanga have officially replaced traditional traffic fines with the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system, the provincial Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL) confirmed. The move, which took effect from 1 July in the affected areas, means local and provincial traffic officers now issue only AARTO infringement notices.
Where the system is active
DCSSL said AARTO is currently being enforced in the following municipal areas:
- Steve Tshwete (Middelburg)
- City of Mbombela
- Nkomazi
- Thaba Chweu
- eMalahleni
- Thembisile Hani
- Govan Mbeki
- Lekwa
| Municipality | Notes |
|---|---|
| Steve Tshwete | More than 25 000 speeding offences recorded after AARTO roll‑out |
| City of Mbombela | Included in provincial implementation |
What changes for motorists
The DCSSL stressed that the introduction of AARTO removes older enforcement instruments. As spokesperson Moeti Mmusi explained:
“With this implementation, traffic authorities in these areas will no longer issue Section 56 or Section 341 notices to offending motorists in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act. Only infringement notices issued in terms of AARTO will be used.”
That means drivers who receive notices will now follow the AARTO administrative process rather than criminal procedures that used to be applied in many cases.
Key deadlines and penalties
The system is managed nationally by the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA). Under AARTO, motorists typically have a strict timeframe and a range of options once an infringement notice is issued:
- Motorists have 32 days to respond to an AARTO notice.
- Payments made within the initial 32 days can attract a 50% discount.
- Vehicle owners may nominate another driver if someone else was driving at the time of the offence.
- Fines of R750 or more can be paid by monthly instalments.
Older fines remain payable
Mmusi also confirmed that motorists cannot avoid earlier penalties by invoking the new system. Any fines issued prior to 1 July must still be settled in full under the previous arrangements.
Context and provincial rollout
AARTO was enacted in 1998 with the purpose of improving road safety and reducing fatalities on South African roads. The current expansion of the system into Mpumalanga forms part of Phase Two of a national roll‑out that follows trial periods in Tshwane and Johannesburg. Phase Two covers 62 areas around the country, of which the eight Mpumalanga municipalities are now part.
What motorists should do now
Drivers in the affected municipalities should be aware of the new administrative route for dealing with traffic infringements and act promptly if they receive an AARTO notice. Practical steps include:
- Check the notice carefully for the date of issue and the 32‑day response deadline.
- Consider paying within the 32‑day window to qualify for the 50% discount where applicable.
- If someone else was driving, use the nomination option to correctly identify the driver at the time of the offence.
- For fines of R750 or more, ask about instalment arrangements if immediate full payment is unaffordable.
The introduction of AARTO in these municipalities marks a notable shift in how traffic offences are processed locally. For residents who rely on roads for work and tourism, the change is likely to alter interactions with traffic authorities and could have immediate financial implications for repeat offenders and those caught by newly active speed enforcement systems.
Provincial authorities and the RTIA will handle administrative enquiries related to notices and payments; motorists are advised to use the contact details provided on any infringement notices or to consult their municipal traffic departments for guidance.
