AARTO takes effect in Steve Tshwete, eMalahleni and Thembisile Hani

MPUMALANGA – Motorists in eight municipal areas across Mpumalanga are now subject to the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO), following the start of Phase 2 of the national rollout on 1 July 2026.

The implementation covers the City of Mbombela, Nkomazi, Thaba Chweu, Steve Tshwete, eMalahleni, Thembisile Hani, Govan Mbeki and Lekwa.

The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison said traffic authorities in the affected areas will now issue AARTO infringement notices for applicable traffic offences instead of Section 56 or Section 341 notices issued under the Criminal Procedure Act.

“With this implementation, traffic authorities in these areas will no longer issue Section 56 or Section 341 notices to offending motorists in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act. Only infringement notices issued in terms of AARTO will be used,” the department said.

However, motorists who received Section 56 or Section 341 notices before 1 July 2026 remain responsible for settling those outstanding notices.

AARTO was enacted in 1998 with the aim of improving road safety and reducing fatal crashes on South African roads. The system is administered by the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), an entity of the National Department of Transport.

According to the department, the eight Mpumalanga municipal areas form part of Phase 2 of the national rollout, covering 62 municipalities. The rollout follows earlier pilot implementations in the City of Tshwane and City of Johannesburg.

Motorists who receive an AARTO infringement notice have 32 days to respond. During this period, they may pay the penalty and qualify for a 50% discount, nominate the driver who was in control of the vehicle, apply for instalment payments where the penalty is R750 or more, or lodge an appeal with the Appeals Tribunal.

The department warned that motorists who fail to respond within the initial 32 days will receive a courtesy letter, lose the 50% discount and incur additional administrative fees.

“Should a motorist fail to respond within 32 days, a courtesy letter will be issued and the 50% discount will be forfeited. Additional administrative fees will also apply,” the department said.

Motorists will then have a further 32 days to respond to the courtesy letter, after which failure to respond may result in an enforcement order.

The department said motorists who fail to settle infringement penalties within the prescribed periods may also face restrictions on certain vehicle and licence transactions, including renewing driving or motor vehicle licences and registering new vehicles.

Motorists requiring further information can contact the RTIA Communications Office on 082 575 3976 or 083 305 5212.