An alleged traffic fine quota in Gauteng is making headlines for all the wrong reasons this week. With AARTO points-based demerits starting countrywide on 1 December 2025, the JMPD has denied its officers have a strict daily traffic fine quota to maintain.
The claim originates from the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Michael Sun. He alleges that JMPD officers are under immense pressure to meet a certain targets, reports TopAuto.
JMPD TRAFFIC FINE QUOTA
As a s result, the JMPD has blasted claims a R7 000 daily traffic fine quota. Typical road-side fines average R1 000, so this would entail producing roughly one fine per hour on a shift. Attaining the daily targets leads to additional overtime payments, claim’s Sun.
Meanwhile, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) is not happy hearing of an alleged traffic fine quota. It maintains traffic officers should focus on bylaw enforcement, traffic management and crime prevention rather than incentivising income generation.
INCREASED ROADBLOCKS
Furthermore, Sun believes the aforementioned traffic fine quota is the reason for increased police roadblocks across the metro. Many of these, at major intersections, are being labelled ‘roadside checks’ to avoid various SAPS legal requirements.
As such, the DA has called on Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to intervene. It says the province should prioritise public safety and remove any revenue-based quotas from the JMPD. In turn, the city denies any such allegations. Spokesperson Xolani Fihla reiterates that fines are issued based on observed infractions, and not to fulfil any sort of traffic fine quota.
OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS QUESTIONED
“Performance of JMPD officers is assessed based on overall effectiveness in improving community safety. There is no evaluation based on a revenue generated from fines. The integrity of our operations is paramount, and all actions are carried out in strict accordance with the law,” concludes Fihla.
DO YOU THINK THE JMPD WORKS TOWARDS A QUOTA?
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