Motorists’ expectation during a roadblock
The EMPD has shared information on what should motorists expect during a roadblock.
As a driver when stopped at a roadblock, the first thing to do is to stop as safe as possible and where the officer indicated.
According to Chief Supt Kelebogile Thepa of EMPD, you may request an appointment certificate from the officer to confirm their identity.
If reasons for stopping are not made known to you, you may ask for such reasons.
“This would be clarified to you by the officer who has stopped you. You should allow for a systematic check to be conducted on both the driver and the motor vehicle competence to operate on a public road. It may include for instance the appearance of the vehicle such as a damaged windscreen, tyres and the lights,” she said.
Thepa said these may also include the engine bay to inspect loose or dangerous wiring, maybe a leaking exhaust, fuel or oil.
The luggage area may also be inspected to check the emergency triangle or in the case of vehicles that transport dangerous goods items such as fire extinguishers.
“Remember that any motorist may be stopped to determine the driver fitness and vehicle fitness to operate on a public road. When stopped a motorist needs to produce documentation requested from them,” she said.
Such includes but is not limited to driving license, professional driving permit, licensing disc and roadworthy certificate.
Outstanding fines
If a notice to appear in court or a fine is issued to a motorist, they need to provide personal details that will be captured on the notice.
Thepa said: “If there are outstanding fines that have not been dealt with, which have now become warrants of arrest due to contempt of court for non-payment or appearance in the court as stated on the original notice, the offender will be arrested for the outstanding warrants and must then appear in court.”
Upon arrest, the driver can then either pay the outstanding fine at roadblocks only due to the availability of payment facilities, including the contempt of court amount of R300 or be handed over to SAPS.
She said this is in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act 1977 (Act 51 of 1977).
“It is therefore better to visit one of our precincts or online at www.PayCity.co.za or via mobile App Paycity available on iOS App Store and Google Play Store. They will be able to do enquiries and resolve outstanding notices,” said Thepa.
As the EMPD has not implemented the AARTO Act yet, and are still issuing notices in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act, an offender risk being arrested for contempt of court on outstanding warrants of arrest if not resolved timeously.
