AARTO Phase 2 Implementation Proceeds as Scheduled

The Road Traffic Infringement Authority (RTIA) welcomes the order handed down yesterday, 30 June 2026, by the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria, in the urgent application brought by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).

SALGA sought to interdict the implementation of Phase 2 of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO), which is scheduled to commence on 1 July 2026.

On 23 June 2026, SALGA instituted an urgent application against the Minister of Transport, the RTIA, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), and the Minister of Finance. SALGA raised concerns about the regulatory framework for the implementation of Phase Two of AARTO, infrastructure and equipment readiness of issuing authorities, and the financial model for municipalities.

Additionally, SALGA had formally declared an intergovernmental dispute on 19 June 2026 in terms of section 41 of the Constitution and the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, seeking to halt the implementation of Phase 2 of AARTO, pending the resolution of the dispute.

The application was opposed by the Department of Transport, RTIA, and the South African Post Office (SAPO) on the following grounds:

• Lack of urgency: SALGA had been aware of the 1 July 2026 implementation date since November 2025 but delayed bringing the application, creating its own urgency.
• Lack of authority to represent municipalities: SALGA failed to provide evidence that municipalities authorised it to bring the application on their behalf. The Minister served a formal notice in terms of Rule 7 of the Uniform Rules of the High Court, requiring SALGA to produce council resolutions from the affected municipalities. 
• Presidential proclamation not yet in place at the time of the filing of the application: The implementation of AARTO requires a Presidential Proclamation.
• Readiness for implementation: RTIA demonstrated that it is fully prepared for Phase 2 rollout. Under Phase 2, there are 62 issuing authorities with 283 combined sites, of which 75% are properly equipped and have received relevant training. This includes the provision of equipment, training of law enforcement officers and back-office personnel and ensuring network connectivity. 

Upon hearing the matter, the Court struck the application from the roll, finding that:

• SALGA failed to establish urgency as required by the rules of the High Court.
• SALGA failed to demonstrate that it was authorised to act on behalf of municipalities.
• Courts should not lightly interfere with government decisions on policy matters and the implementation of legislation.

The order clears the way for the implementation of AARTO Phase 2 as scheduled on 1 July 2026; the system is now being rolled out across a total of 62 local and metropolitan municipalities, building upon the initial implementation already underway in Johannesburg and Tshwane.

RTIA remains committed to the successful rollout of AARTO and will continue working with all issuing authorities to ensure effective implementation. Motorists and the public are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the AARTO system through the official channels and resources provided by RTIA.