Can't Pay My Fines

If you are pulled over by Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department ("JMPD") and issued with a handwritten ticket, I would not bother worrying over the 50% discount unless your infringement is a large amount to pay.

I was issued a R250 infringement and had 32 days to pay the 50% discount. After numerous attempts of trying to pay the listed online options listed at the back of the infringement notice, every online option indicated that the infringement number does not exist. I then contacted AARTO telephonically and they said that I need to wait until the infringement is uploaded on their system.

Today was the 32nd day after my infringement was issued & therefore the last day that the 50% discount applies.

After spending 2 hrs driving from Checkers to Spar to Krugersdorp Traffic Department & finally Roodepoort Townhall, I think I spent well over the total infringement amount in fuel!! All four places indicated that the infringement number on the notice does not exist, even Roodepoort Townhall. So I had to wait at the townhall office for them to upload the infringement number on their system & finally paid the R125.

I now realise why so many people do not pay their traffic fines, it's not that all people are being disobedient, it's just that it is literally an impossible & frustrating task trying to pay them & you spend more money & time on this.

I suggest just waiting, even if it takes an entire year, until the notice is uploaded onto your AARTO profile.

Who knows, it might get "mysteriously" paid for you. When I created a profile, I had an infringement listed there from 2018 that I had no knowledge or recollection of & the status was "paid", but I never paid anything 🤣