More than 100 motorists were fined in Pretoria this weekend as law enforcement authorities across the City of Tshwane upheld their pledge to prevent avoidable tragedy on the roads during the Christmas season.
Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba, a Tshwane metro police spokesperson, said as part of the law enforcement agency’s holiday plan, officers were out on the roads checking for vehicle roadworthiness and driver fitness.
He said, “We’ve issued fines to more than 100 people, most of whom were taxi operators who were still driving and ferrying passengers without a proper public driving permit. They are using the excuse that Covid-19 delayed them from renewing their licenses and permits, but we’ve found that most of their permits had expired as far back as 2016 or 2017 – even before the pandemic began so they had ample time to renew them hence the fines.”
He said roads like the R80 Mabopane Highway were regarded as hotspots by law enforcement personnel since most accidents occurred there as individuals went out to drink in the surrounding area and then got into accidents on their way out.
