DA accuses City of Joburg of prioritising fines ahead of road safety

THE Democratic Alliance (DA) has slammed a growing trend in Gauteng, where roadblocks by the Johannesburg Metro Police (JMPD) and Traffic Department appear aimed more at collecting fines than preventing crashes.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

Despite a small drop in fatal crashes, the DA has sharply criticised traffic authorities for what it calls “revenue-driven roadblocks” The party argues that these operations focus more on collecting outstanding fines than tackling the real causes of accidents, reckless driving, speeding, and drunk driving, which continue to claim lives across the province.

According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), Gauteng recorded a slight decline in fatal crashes, from 494 in quarter four of 2024 to 459 in quarter four of 2025. Fatalities also decreased from 546 to 506.

Michael Sun, the DAs Gauteng spokesperson for Community Safety, said the party is calling on law enforcement to move away from revenue-focused operations and instead prioritise the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

He noted that, despite recent improvements, Gauteng still accounts for nearly a quarter of all road deaths nationwide, maintaining the highest fatality rate in the country.