YOUR article “Pay your fines to avoid arrest” on November 8 refers.
I find the article with the title as above extremely distasteful. It has a threatening tone which carries the hallmarks of our government. The arrogance displayed by stating wishful thinking on their part as fact without proper explanation is disappointing.
Read: Pay fine or be confined
I am of the opinion that the Alberton RECORD should have added commentary so that citizens are not misled and angered by what the EMPD have given out as fact.
To my limited knowledge of the law says that a properly delivered summons must be issued as a precursor to any warrant of arrest. To simply issue a traffic fine and follow it up with a warrant of arrest is not a legal procedure. I do believe that a fine issued and signed for at the point of transgression is in itself a summons and this is acceptable. However, this cannot be correct for fines issued for example for speed transgressions captured on camera or parking offences.
As a service to your readers and the citizens of this province, I feel that you should request that the EMPD place a follow-up instructional article clearly explaining the correct legal requirements with regards to traffic fines.
It is a well-known fact that a while ago a court of law instructed the traffic departments to cancel all traffic fines that did not meet legal requirements. Is this likely to happen again because of incompetence?
-Peter Coetzee.
RECORD contacted the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department for comment but they did not respond by the time of publishing.
Also Read:
Police urge to community not to withdraw charges
How to outsmart the possible effects of junk status on your home loan
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Add us on WhatsApp today! Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.
