Motorists travelling through Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni are still not receiving automated speeding fines after the suspension of speed camera systems in both metros, with local authorities yet to appoint replacement service providers.
The disruption, which has lasted several months, follows the expiry of contracts previously held by technology company Syntell, leaving South Africa’s two largest metropolitan municipalities without their primary automated traffic enforcement systems.
While officials insist traffic law enforcement continues through increased physical policing, concerns are growing over the impact on road safety, municipal revenue and compliance with traffic regulations.
Manual Enforcement Replaces Automated Systems
Johannesburg has been without automated speed enforcement since December 2025, when Syntell’s three-year contract with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) came to an end.
As the cameras belonged to the service provider rather than the city, all automated speed enforcement equipment was removed once the agreement expired.
The consequences have been significant. Of the approximately 3.4 million traffic fines issued in Johannesburg during the previous year, around 3.1 million were generated through automated speed cameras, while only a small proportion resulted from officers issuing handwritten notices.
Traffic fines also represent an important source of municipal income, contributing an estimated R50 million annually to the city’s finances.
Ekurhuleni faces a similar situation. Since Syntell’s agreement with the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department expired in October 2024, the metro has also been unable to process or issue automated traffic infringement notices.
Plans to replace the outsourced service with the municipality’s own Integrated Law Enforcement Management System (ILEMS) have stalled amid wider governance challenges and leadership changes within the metro.
Authorities Promise New Provider While Safety Concerns Persist
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the municipality is working through the required procurement procedures to appoint a new service provider.
According to Fihla, the process must comply fully with the Municipal Finance Management Act because of the value of the contract and the need for complete transparency.
Until a replacement system is in place, the department has expanded visible traffic policing across Johannesburg.
Additional officers have been deployed to major roads, while roadblocks have been increased in areas known for speeding and high accident rates.
Fihla stressed that the absence of automated cameras affects only one method of recording traffic offences and does not mean motorists can ignore traffic laws.
“Johannesburg is certainly not a speed-free zone,” he said, adding that officers remain active across the city to discourage reckless driving.
However, the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) believes the lack of automated enforcement has weakened overall traffic policing.
The organisation warned that fewer automated fines could reduce compliance with traffic laws, increase dangerous driving behaviour and expose both motorists and pedestrians to greater risks.
MISA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola argued that the delays reflect broader governance and administrative problems that continue to affect service delivery within Johannesburg.
With procurement processes still underway in both metros, there is currently no confirmed timeline for when automated speed cameras and electronic traffic fine systems will return to normal operation.
Source: TopAuto / SABC