CONFUSION OVER AARTO ACT PHASE 2 ROLLOUT: RTIA DENIES JUNE 5 IMPLEMENTATION
Confusion has arisen over whether the second phase of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act has been rolled out nationally, following a report claiming the system would take effect on June 5. However, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) has dismissed the report as false, urging the public to verify information before sharing it.
False Claims Circulating
A recent media report suggested that the AARTO system’s second phase would be implemented nationwide starting June 5. However, RTIA spokesperson Monde Mkalipi clarified that no such announcement had been made, calling the report “fake news.”
“We are not aware of where this information started, but it spread quickly in the media,” Mkalipi said. “The process for determining the rollout date involves multiple stakeholders, including the Department of Transport, and requires a presidential proclamation followed by publication in the Government Gazette. None of this has happened yet.”
Current Status of AARTO
Currently, AARTO is only operational in two jurisdictions: Johannesburg and Tshwane. The second phase, which will extend the system to an additional 67 municipalities, is still in preparation.
Mkalipi emphasized that key components of the AARTO Act, such as the demerit points system and driver rehabilitation programs, will only come into effect in the third phase.
How to Verify Information
With misinformation spreading, Mkalipi advised the public to rely on official government announcements.
“If there’s no proclamation signed by the president or a notice in the Government Gazette, any claims about AARTO’s implementation are false,” he said. “The RTIA and the Department of Transport will make an official announcement once all stakeholders, including municipalities, are ready.”
Next Steps
The RTIA is currently working with the Department of Transport to finalize documentation before the president can proclaim the next rollout date. Until then, motorists are urged to stay informed through official channels and disregard unverified reports.
For now, AARTO remains limited to Johannesburg and Tshwane, with no immediate changes to traffic fine procedures elsewhere in the country.