JOHANNESBURG – Justice Project South Africa has noted that the Minister of Transport, Ms Dipuo Elizabeth Peters is once again giving motorists an “early Christmas present” by regurgitating threats she levelled at them around this time last year, as well as making additional ones in Parliament.

Last year, the Minister and the CEO of the RTMC threatened delinquent drivers, in particular those who drive at speeds above the speed limit and those who are under the influence of alcohol with extended periods of incarceration prior to being released on bail to be tried in a criminal court and this year the Minister appears to be doing exactly the same thing. This comes in spite of her assertions last year to the effect that the Department of Transport was working closely with the Department of Justice to urgently have these crimes rescheduled to Schedule 5 offences under the Criminal Procedure Act. This year she is levelling the same threats and making the same assertions – thereby indicating that no progress has been made in that regard, probably because of the pure absurdity of it all. Continue reading →

JOHANNESBURG – On Friday 11 November 2016, the Minister of Transport promulgated amendments to the National Road Traffic Regulations which must be noted by motorists – in particular those who operate goods vehicles.

Firstly, Government Gazette 40420 of 11 November 2016 amended Regulation 250, which previously forbade the conveyance of persons for reward in the goods compartment of goods vehicles (bakkies) in its entirety to read as follows:

(1)       No person shall on a public road convey school children in the goods compartment of a motor vehicle for reward.

(2)       No person shall convey any other person in the goods compartment of a motor vehicle for reward: Provided that the provisions of this subregulation shall not apply in respect of a vehicle which complies with the provisions of the NLTA. Continue reading →