Of the nearly 100 000 warrants executed for unpaid traffic fines and contempt of court in the previous financial year, 40 321 motorists ended up behind bars.
This represented an increase of 36,2% year-on-year. Motorists can settle a fine when they’ve received the infringement notice. Alternatively, they have the option to go to court on a specified date in the infringement notice to state their case.
Failure to do so resulted in a summons being issued, and continued non-compliance sees a warrant of arrest being generated for contempt of court.
Between July 2022 and June 2023 the City’s Traffic Service executed 95 710 warrants. While it was slightly down on the warrants executed in the previous year, the number of motorists arrested increased from 29 592 to 40 321.
Traditionally, warrant executions relied on tracking and tracing operations. However, with the introduction of hand-held EPIC devices several years ago, officers are now able to check during a routine traffic stop if motorists have outstanding warrants. Motorists can check whether they have fines or warrants by visiting www.paythat.co.za Alternatively visit www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Pay/Driving-and-vehicles/Fines/Pay-your-traffic-fine
