The Department of Public Safety is alarmed by the false impression created in the media that there is no speed law-enforcement in the City of Johannesburg.
In January 2017, it was discovered that the speed enforcement service contract between the City and the service provider was unlawfully extended. In line with the new administration’s clean and accountable government stance, a decision was taken to terminate that contract. However, as a result of the termination of the contract, the service provider removed the fixed cameras.
In an effort to ensure that there are a continuity of speed law-enforcement, the City procured speed enforcement cameras and services from a service provider and infringement notices have been issued to transgressors. Furthermore, JMPD officers are operating hand held speed cameras at various hot spots.
The Department in February 2017 addressed this issue extensively through the media.
In the improvement of speed law-enforcement and service delivery to the public, the City has gone through a proper process to set out the tender bidding requirements and specifications. The tender advertisement for a new service provider is set to be published within the next three weeks.
The new contract will be to the benefit of the City and its residents as it makes provision for the Department to own both the system and speed camera infrastructure.
The public is advised not to believe that there is no speed law-enforcement in the City. In fact, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has deployed officers to various hot spots across the city to curb speeding by way of mobile speed cameras.
The primary function of the Department is to ensure road safety and the new approach we have adopted is Visible Policing when curbing speeding.
The Department also dismisses the notion that JMPD is dependent on fines revenue to operate. The Department is allocated a budget and each of its functions are accordingly allocated resources to deliver services to the residents.
Motorists must not be deceived into thinking that Joburg is a now a ‘speed free’ zone. We will continue to clamp down not only on speedsters but also bad drivers on our roads. The safety and lives of our residents are much more important than any fines revenue generated and that is our priority.