More and more signs that AARTO is collapsing just like e-toll system

Image: Courtesy of FF Plus

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) views the postponement of the nationwide rollout of the AARTO system as a sign that it is beginning to collapse, just like the e-toll system.

Much like the e-toll system in Gauteng, AARTO — currently active only in Gauteng (in the Johannesburg and Tshwane Metros) — appears to be slowly but surely nearing the end of the road.

It seems Gauteng is where sophisticated systems meet their end, either due to a lack of legitimacy or a lack of the managerial competence required to sustain them.

Initially, the e-toll system's demise was gradual and marked by years of court cases and public rejection, but then it came to an abrupt end just before the 2024 elections when it became obvious to both the national and Gauteng governments that the system was no longer viable.

Similarly, AARTO's decline began slowly with years of legal challenges, problematic legislation and regulations, and extremely flawed implementation — to the detriment of the public.

Moreover, AARTO systematically developed a legitimacy crisis in Gauteng due to the system’s utter failure to make roads in Johannesburg and Pretoria safer.

Given the numerous problems with integrating AARTO with municipal systems nationwide, it appears that the only thing left to do is prepare for its final collapse.

If AARTO cannot be successfully implemented in Gauteng, it will eventually dawn on national government that the system is simply not viable nationwide.

AARTO’s pilot phase in Gauteng was riddled with glitches from the start, which have only worsened over time.

Johannesburg and Pretoria traffic can no longer be strictly policed — as previously under the Criminal Procedure Act — because fines are either issued late or not at all in addition to various forms of maladministration rendering fines invalid.

There were even instances where AARTO fines were electronically generated, but never printed or dispatched within legal timeframes. Yet, authorities still attempted to enforce those fines, and had to be ordered by a court to cease the unlawful practice. 

Currently, AARTO’s implementation in Johannesburg and Pretoria remains plagued by various forms of maladministration. The AARTO legislation and regulations are either inconsistently applied or not applied at all.

Many motorists still do not receive fines by post or email, yet are unlawfully forced to pay these fines when renewing vehicle licences.

The system also appears susceptible to manipulation. There is evidence that certain companies’ fines are swiftly enforced, thus blocking their fleet licences, while others receive no enforcement orders and are spared vehicle licence blocks. 

The AARTO Act’s main objective is to make roads safer, but the AARTO system has clearly failed to achieve that.

Given the abundance of problems and AARTO's unviability, it is time to finally disconnect the public machinery keeping AARTO alive, and modernise and revive the previous criminal procedure system.

In the meantime, the Freedom Front Plus advises motorists with concerns about the valid administration of their AARTO fines to apply for the fines to be quashed.