Cape Town’s Top 100 list has been in place for at least five years, detailing the motorists with the highest number of outstanding warrants.
As at 17 July, the individuals on the list account for 9 430 outstanding warrants, valued at R9 129 180.
The top offender has 268 warrants, valued at just under R300 000.
Over a six-month period between January and June 2023, the team responsible for managing the Top 100 list issued 14 773 warrants – arrests were made in relation to approximately 2 000 of these warrants, including:
- On 14 July, officers pulled over a minibus driving on the shoulder of the roadway. They discovered that the driver had 18 double warrants outstanding, totalling R78 000. The driver was arrested and granted bail of R16 700
- On 28 June, a motorist with 167 outstanding warrants, valued at R148 550, was arrested outside his home in Masiphumelele.
- On 14 June, a motorist was arrested in Eersteriver for 65 outstanding warrants, with a total value of R67 700
- On 2 June, a motorist with 169 double warrants valued at R158 100 was arrested in St. James
‘The list represents the lack of accountability that so many road users appear to have no problem with. Transgressions by the hundreds, and no motivation to pay the fines or acknowledge their wrongdoing, because they think they can get away with it. Our specialised team who chases down the Top 100 offenders has a very tough time, as legislation dictates that warrants must be served in person. Sometimes, they have to resort to stakeouts to track down individuals, as happened recently in Masiphumelele.
‘With ANPR technology set to become far more widely used in the coming months, as part of our smart policing initiatives, I do want to sound a warning to all scofflaws that it greatly increases the chances of being caught. So, unless they want to spend time behind bars, I’d advise that they reach out and make arrangements to clear their fines and warrants, but also amend their driving behaviour in the interests of road safety,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
The public is also reminded that the National Road Traffic Act empowers local authorities to place an administration mark against the identity number of an offender with outstanding warrants, which means the person is unable to perform any transactions on the Natis system, like the renewal of driving licences and motor vehicle licences.
HOW TO PAY YOUR TRAFFIC FINES
Fines and warrants can be viewed and paid online at www.paythat.co.za – this includes fines pre-dating 1 July 2022.
Other electronic payment methods are available by:
- Card: VISA, Mastercard
- EFT: ABSA, FNB, Nedbank, Capitec, Standard Bank
- Scan to Pay: Masterpass, Snapscan, Zapper, FNB, Nedbank, ABSA
In the event that a motorist wants to pay their fines in person at a retailer, they can pay at selected SPAR outlets, Ackermans, Builder’s Warehouse, Game, Makro, PEP, Pick n Pay and Shoprite/Checkers Money Market kiosks.
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