'A money-making scheme': pensioner challenges estate's R575 speeding fine

A 72-YEAR-OLD veteran journalist is challenging a R575 speeding fine issued by an estate for driving 42km/h in a 30km/h zone.

- MONISHKA GOVENDER

Fawzia Moodley claimed the punishment was disproportionate and questioned whether the estate’s camera system was more focused on revenue than safety.

Legal experts said residential estates’ authority to issue such fines was questionable under South African law.

Moodley voiced her frustration after receiving what she described as an “outrageous” speeding fine inside Midstream Estate, in Gauteng.

She had gone to fetch a friend from the estate when she was fined for driving 42km/h in a 30km/h zone.

“I was lost inside the estate and did not pay attention to the speed I was driving. I was more worried about finding the house,” she said.

Moodley said she only discovered she had been fined when she received an SMS notification from the estate.

“I was not stopped by the security inside the estate. I received the fine via SMS. I was shocked. I have sent them an email asking for a reduction of the amount on compassionate grounds, age and affordability.”

While Moodley acknowledged the importance of safety inside estates, particularly where children were present, she believed the punishment did not fit the transgression.

“While I understand the need to drive slowly because of the danger to kids, it is unfair to slap me with such a huge fine. They should at least give an offender a chance the first time around.”

She added that the R575 fine for being 12km/h over the limit was excessive.

“That for driving just 12km/h faster than the limit. I was lost and anxious, not reckless. A fine of about R200 for a first transgression would at least be fair. As it stands, it seems to be a big moneymaking scheme.”