Cape recovers R3m in fines
A traffic policeman guides an offender into the back of a police van during a roadblock on day four of Operation Reclaim, which is identifying drivers with more than three outstanding warrants of arrest for traffic violations. A traffic policeman guides an offender into the back of a police van during a roadblock on day four of Operation Reclaim, which is identifying drivers with more than three outstanding warrants of arrest for traffic violations.
The City’s traffic services have reclaimed nearly R3 million in outstanding fines in just three days, as well as over R800 000 from fines with warrants attached.
In addition, 72 offenders have been arrested, including a city advocate with 13 warrants against his name.
Nine roadblocks were held across Cape Town, and more than 800 home and work visits were conducted.
In one case, an offender was traced to his workplace, the office of a provincial MEC. The man avoided arrest after paying the R2 700 he owed.
Last week it emerged that 445 232 motorists had warrants against their names because of unpaid fines totalling R207m.
Maxine Jordaan, city traffic spokeswoman, said the operations were set to continue next week, but on a smaller scale.
At Thursday’s roadblock on Lansdowne Road, near Ottery, several motorists were bundled into a law enforcement van and taken to the police station after not being able to pay up.
Some drivers appeared worried as they approached the roadblock, because as soon as a vehicle passed the traffic service’s camera and its registration number was recorded, the information was immediately entered into the database, monitored in a mobile control room.
The offending motorists were then identified electronically, and pulled over.
Motorists were co-operative, with scores crowding into the traffic services mobile centre, settling their debts.
In some instances, angry commuters demanded their money back from taxi drivers who were arrested.
Although offenders could pay their fines with cash or credit cards, officers also volunteered to take motorists to the nearest ATM.
Speaking at Thursday’s roadblock, JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security, said traffic services had arrested a city advocate earlier this week.
He said the 48-year-old man had five different addresses, and officials had been unable to track him down. His nine warrants totalled around R10 000.
What made the situation even more inexplicable, he added, was that the man understood the legal process.
The man had three different registration numbers for three different BMWs.
It was finally established that he lived in Constantia and, on Tuesday, traffic officers nabbed him at his office in Claremont. But he refused to co-operate.
Smith said he questioned several warrants, although he had signed six summonses.
In another case, officers visited the home of a Parow man to reclaim about R9 000 from seven outstanding warrants.
Smith said officials were not targeting motorists with three or fewer warrants.
bronwynne.jooste@inl.co.za - Cape Argus