Traffic cameras still not operating
FIVE years have passed and traffic cameras in the eThekwini Municipality remain non-operational.
This means that motorists who speed and those who drive through red traffic lights are not being fined. The traffic cameras are not working owing to a legal battle between the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the service provider.
The NPA is the only body that can grant permission to the service provider to position its traffic-monitoring equipment. It is alleged that the NPA had suspended the service provider’s contract due to alleged irregularities in the contract.
So far the municipality has lost more than R600 million in revenue.
Political parties have accused the municipality and the NPA of not taking the matter seriously and putting people’s lives at risk.
Chris van den Berg, who sits on the
DA’s financial security and emergency services committee, said the matter was still in court and going into its fifth year.
“Every time we request feedback from the municipality on when the traffic cameras will start operating again, we are told the matter is in court. We don’t receive any further information from the municipality.”
He said initially the plan was that metro police officers would use handheld cameras from RTI while the matter was in court.
“This plan has somewhat fallen by the wayside. There are currently no speed timing and cameras at our traffic lights. Motorists are aware of the situation and it has created bad driving habits and a cause for accidents.
“The municipality and NPA should push for the matter to be resolved because apart from more than R600m in revenue, they are putting people’s lives at risk.”
Van den Berg said the DA would continue to raise the issue at their committee meetings because they wanted answers. “The municipality is sleeping on this matter and we cannot go another five years without proper law enforcement on our roads.”
Mdu Nkosi, the speaker for the IFP, said: “How are we supposed to have a safe city when we have no systems to ensure that accidents don’t happen? The municipality used taxpayers’ money to install those traffic cameras and for it to be non-operational for such a long time is wasteful expenditure.”
Nkosi said there was a lack of willingness from municipal officials to ensure everything was working.
Vusi Khoza, the spokesperson for the EFF, said the municipality should devise a plan to ensure the speed of motorists was being monitored.
“The excuse is that the matter is in court. This excuse shows you the incompetence and inefficiency of the municipality.
“Speeding fines generate income for the city and the city is now losing out. We are of the view that the municipality has no clue about what they are doing and we are flabbergasted as to why the court proceedings are not resolved so many years on.”
Natasha Kara, the spokesperson for the NPA in KZN, said she was waiting for feedback on the court matter.
Senior Superintendent Parboo Sewpersad, a metro police spokesperson, declined to comment because the matter is in court. He referred POST to the eThekwini Municipality.
Msawakhe Mayisela, the spokesperson for the eThekwini Municipality, said the issue arose in 2017 and was currently in court.
“The metro police department is pursuing the loan or acquisition of speed cameras which can be used in the interim while the current dispute is being resolved.”
He said the department had increased its focus on visible policing. This, he said, would focus on all aspects of traffic violations and would result in motorists that drive recklessly being apprehended.
Meanwhile, the City of Joburg is faced with a similar situation, as its speed cameras and hand-held speed devices have been inoperative since May last year.
Xolani Fihla, the spokesperson for the Johannesburg metro police department (JMPD), said the service provider’s contract had ended.
“All traffic fines that were incurred before May 31, 2021, have been processed. We are waiting for the contract of the new service provider to be finalised. We are hoping it is done by July.”
The AA called for an investigation into the matter in Johannesburg to determine who should be held accountable.
Layton Beard, AA spokesperson, said: “This is gross negligence, and disciplinary steps against the individual or individuals involved should commence urgently.
“We live in a country with one of the highest per capita road deaths in the world. Effective traffic law enforcement along with proper prosecution of offenders remain critical to dealing effectively with this situation.”