Traffic fine fury
Community members call for correct protocols to be followed by traffic department
DUPLICATED traffic fines, intimidating stop and go experiences and lack of service from the traffic department continue to anger Richards Bay motorists.
When Chris Brits renewed his car license a month ago, he says the document from the department clearly stated that no fees were outstanding for the family Volkswagen Microbus.
However, at a stop and go two weeks later in the central business district (CBD), his wife was told that she owed the department a mammoth R7 000.
‘The officer demanded that she pay right there and then,’ says Brits.
‘My wife asked for a summons, but the official said she did not know what a summons was.
‘Afraid of being arrested, she used her credit card to pay R1 000 using a mobile card machine onsite and was told to pay the rest off in monthly payments.
‘Surely this is utterly unacceptable, especially since the department documentation indicates that we owed them no money.’
Former traffic official Lukas van Reenen says he has received duplicated and erroneous fines.
‘Not only are duplicated fines a waste of the public’s money, but the department is not following the rules and regulations to ensure that fines are valid and arrests can be made lawfully.’
One speeding offence posted to van Reenen shows his vehicle driving past a lamp post.
‘A fine is worthless if there is an obstruction in the photograph – traffic officials should surely know this.
‘There are also no official stamps on the documentation and people are not receiving summons before they are threatened by officials at stop and go’s.
‘You cannot be arrested if you have not signed a summons and given notice of a court date to defend yourself.
‘These are our rights,’ said van Reenen.
Final notices for a stranger’s car has also been sent to Bay resident Daleen Engelbrecht up to twice a week.
‘I’ve been getting an influx of traffic fines that do not belong to me and when you try to resolve the matter with the department, they tell you that the supervisor is too busy.
‘How can we expect traffic offenders to be brought to justice with such a faulty system and unhelpful staff at the department?’
No response was received by the City of uMhlathuze Municipality at the time of going to print.
Shame totally disappointed and I was not intended to hear something like that against Umhlathuze traffic department.
I would also like to point out that at these road blocks officials look for the smallest fault on our cars which is good but my question is when last have the saps and all the umhlathuze vehicles been checked for roadworthiness..numerous time I have see official vehicles with no break lights or indicators working and then one in every 15 vehicles the official is wearing his or her seat belt,and talking on there cellphones..they are supposed to be setting the example.
These people are just money hungry they are only after our money this is what all government concerns are doing to us. We need to teach these people at the polls that we want change we need vote these people away
Long lost are the days the traffic dept enforced road safety. Today they are just here to bring in money. When was the last time anyone saw a traffic official at a faulty robot? They just hide behind bushes all day. Lekker comfy on their camping chair with cammo gear as well! Blatant entrapment!