The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has approached the High Court in Pretoria seeking an urgent interdict to halt the implementation of phase two of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act.
The legislation is designed to deal with traffic offences through an administrative system, easing pressure on the courts and introducing a demerit points system aimed at removing repeat offenders from the roads.
However, SALGA said there are still unresolved financial and implementation concerns for municipalities.
SALGA’s Sebang Motlhabi stated that the organisation has also escalated the matter through formal channels before turning to the courts.
“We did not only take the approach of the courts. What we have done as well, we have lodged what we call an intergovernmental relations dispute, where we are saying, we have tried the level best that we could to speak with the department,” Motlhabi said.
“We are therefore lodging this dispute and request that those who are responsible to resolve this dispute can come on board to sit us down and resolve this dispute.”
SALGA said it remains committed to constructive engagement but wants clarity on the financial impact before the next phase of the law is rolled out.
VOC News
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