South Africa Proceeds with AARTO Phase 2 Rollout After Court Ruling

The RTIA said the ruling allows the second phase of AARTO to proceed across 62 local and metropolitan municipalities, expanding beyond the existing implementation in Johannesburg and Tshwane.

The Road Traffic Infringement Authority (RTIA) has confirmed that Phase 2 of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act will continue as planned after the Gauteng High Court dismissed an urgent application seeking to halt its implementation.

Phase 2 of AARTO officially commenced on July 1, 2026, following a ruling by the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria. The urgent application had been brought by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), which sought an interdict against the implementation of the new phase.

SALGA argued that there were unresolved concerns regarding the regulatory framework, the readiness of infrastructure and equipment at municipalities, and the financial model supporting the system. It had also declared an intergovernmental dispute in June, asking that the rollout be suspended until those issues were resolved.

The court struck the application from the roll, finding that SALGA had failed to demonstrate urgency and had not shown it was authorised to act on behalf of municipalities. The court also stated that it should not lightly interfere with government policy decisions or the implementation of legislation.

RTIA says system is ready for implementation

The RTIA said the ruling allows the second phase of AARTO to proceed across 62 local and metropolitan municipalities, expanding beyond the existing implementation in Johannesburg and Tshwane.

According to the authority, around 75 percent of the 283 operational sites under the 62 issuing authorities have been equipped and staff have received the required training. Preparations have included providing equipment, training law enforcement and administrative personnel, and ensuring network connectivity to support the new system. The AARTO Act is intended to improve road safety and traffic discipline through a structured process for handling traffic infringements, while also introducing a points demerit system for motorists.

SALGA to pursue the matter further

Despite the court's decision, SALGA said it was disappointed with the outcome, noting that the application was dismissed on procedural grounds relating to urgency rather than the substance of its arguments. The association said the merits of the case could still be argued at a later stage and maintained that its primary concern remains the funding model supporting AARTO and its regulations. The RTIA has encouraged motorists to familiarise themselves with the AARTO system through its official information channels as the nationwide rollout continues.