28/10/2025
Traffic operations in Gauteng are under scrutiny: the DA says revenue collection comes before road safety
Story by Masabata Mkwananzi
Traffic operations in Gauteng are under scrutiny: the DA says revenue collection comes before road safety
Traffic operations in Gauteng are under scrutiny: the DA says revenue collection comes before road safety
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has slammed a growing trend in Gauteng, where roadblocks by the Johannesburg Metro Police (JMPD) and Traffic Department appear aimed more at collecting fines than preventing crashes.
Despite a small drop in fatal crashes, the DA has sharply criticised traffic authorities for what it calls “revenue-driven roadblocks.” The party argues that these operations focus more on collecting outstanding fines than tackling the real causes of accidents, reckless driving, speeding, and drunk driving, which continue to claim lives across the province.
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), Gauteng recorded a slight decline in fatal crashes, from 494 in quarter four of 2024 to 459 in quarter four of 2025. Fatalities also decreased from 546 to 506.
Michael Sun, the DA’s Gauteng spokesperson for Community Safety, said the party is calling on law enforcement to move away from revenue-focused operations and instead prioritise the safety of motorists and pedestrians.
He noted that, despite recent improvements, Gauteng still accounts for nearly a quarter of all road deaths nationwide, maintaining the highest fatality rate in the country.
Sun highlighted figures from the recently released 2024/2025 Gauteng Community Safety and Security Annual Report, stating the scale of the problem. Over the past year, authorities carried out 2,515 drunk-driving operations, resulting in 2,597 arrests, while 18,480 speed enforcement operations led to 870 arrests for excessive speeding. Alarmingly, 89 motorists were recorded driving over 200 km/h in 120 km/h zones, including one driver clocked at 265 km/h.
“These figures affirm that the focus of traffic policing should be on saving lives rather than generating revenue on fine collection operations that fail to address the root causes of road fatalities,” he added.
He emphasised that authorities must urgently shift their focus to proactive road safety and crime prevention, tackling the behaviours that directly contribute to crashes, injuries, and fatalities on Gauteng’s roads.
Sun argued that if Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s government genuinely valued road safety, it would adopt a people-focused strategy combining enforcement, technology, data, and education, instead of letting law enforcement fall short.
He said the DA would prioritise road safety and crime prevention over revenue generation, focusing on high-risk areas, rolling out Average Speed Over Distance (ASOD) systems and speed cameras, and using integrated data to track arrests and convictions. The party would also run public awareness campaigns to promote safer driving.
This is not the first time the JMPD has faced criticism for prioritising revenue over safety. Allegations emerged in August as reported in The Star that officers were under pressure to issue at least R7 000 in traffic fines daily, raising concerns about the department’s true focus.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla dismissed the DA’s allegations, stating that the department’s enforcement operations focus on maintaining road safety and order, not generating revenue.
"The performance of our personnel is measured by an officer's "overall effectiveness in creating a safer environment," not by a specific target for fines. Issuing citations is framed as a "necessary corrective measure to address unsafe behaviour" and promote responsibility."
Fihla explained that visible roadblocks play a crucial role in discouraging reckless driving and reinforcing the likelihood of enforcement action. He said these operations enable officers to detect unlicensed or suspended drivers, apprehend those with outstanding warrants for serious offences like drunk or reckless driving, and take unroadworthy vehicles off the road to enhance overall safety.
He noted that modern technology is central to improving road enforcement. Tools like Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), handheld enforcement devices, and the Vumacam Aura system allow the JMPD to move from random stops to intelligence-driven policing, countering Sun’s claim that Lesufi’s government has failed to prioritise a people-centred approach combining enforcement, technology, data, and education.
“Through the Integrated Intelligent Operations Command Centre (IIOC), real-time alerts help our teams respond swiftly to stolen or high-risk vehicles, improving both traffic law enforcement and overall public safety,” Fihla said.
Fihla added that the use of Evidential Breath Alcohol Testing (Ebat) units and Mobile Alcohol Evidence Centres (AECs) forms part of a proactive approach to curb drunk driving.
“This strategy boosts conviction rates and acts as a strong deterrent against one of the leading causes of road crashes,” he said.
According to Fihla, the JMPD’s adoption of smart technology marks a shift towards modern, preventative policing, one that prioritises saving lives and maintaining order over issuing fines.
The Star
