DELMAS – Motorists in Delmas were encouraged to check their outstanding traffic fines and familiarise themselves with the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) process during an awareness campaign held at Shoprite Willow Corner parking on Wednesday, 22 July 2026.
The campaign was organised by the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) in partnership with the Victor Khanye Local Municipality and the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison's Road Safety Education Unit.
RTIA Media Liaison Officer Emmanuel Tshehla said the outreach programme was aimed at bringing AARTO services closer to communities while helping motorists understand their rights and responsibilities.
"We are offering AARTO services where motorists can check their traffic fines and determine their infringement status. If they are still within the 32-day period, they may qualify for a 50% discount on the infringement notice. They can also nominate the driver, arrange to pay in instalments or submit a representation if they dispute the infringement," he said.
Tshehla encouraged motorists to use the official AARTO website and mobile application to check their infringement status and access services online.
He also warned motorists against the misconception that traffic fines automatically expire after two years.
"An infringement notice does not simply disappear after two years. It remains on your record until the matter progresses to an enforcement order. Motorists should contact RTIA for assistance instead of assuming the fine has been cancelled."
He said Mpumalanga forms part of the second phase of the national AARTO rollout, covering 62 municipalities, including Steve Tshwete, eMalahleni, Thembisile Hani, the City of Mbombela, Lekwa, Thaba Chweu and Nkomazi.
Victor Khanye Local Municipality Assistant Manager for Public Safety Moses Thabo Mahlangu said the campaign forms part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and encourage compliance with traffic legislation.
He said speeding and driving without registration number plates remain among the most common traffic offences in the municipality and urged motorists to obey speed limits, road signs and never drive under the influence of alcohol.
Mahlangu added that the campaign also gave residents an opportunity to resolve outstanding traffic infringements before enforcement action was taken.
Delmas Taxi Association chairperson Bheki Shumba welcomed the initiative, saying it would help taxi operators identify outstanding fines before renewing vehicle licence discs and roadworthy certificates.
He also appealed to the municipality to improve local roads, saying potholes and poor road conditions often forced taxi drivers to stop unexpectedly, creating the impression that they were disregarding traffic rules.
Motorist Paulus Lazarus Ndalo said the campaign gave residents a convenient opportunity to check their traffic fine status and better understand the AARTO process.
"The officials explained the AARTO process clearly and helped me understand my status. I encourage all motorists to take advantage of these outreach programmes because they save time and help us stay on the right side of the law."
