South Africa’s richest city cannot use its speed cameras

For seven consecutive months, motorists have effectively been allowed to speed around Johannesburg without worry of being caught by an automated traffic speed camera.

The reason behind this is the expiration of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department’s (JMPD) three-year contract with service provider Syntell in December 2025.

With the expiration of the contract, Syntell rescinded access to all traffic cameras which it had provided to the JMPD, which reportedly does not own any cameras of its own.

In the seven months since, the JMPD has not finalised a replacement for Syntell, which will provide the municipality with new traffic cameras.

This has raised significant concerns about Johannesburg’s road safety from organisations such as the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA).

“What this basically means is that there is a massive reduction in traffic and law enforcement,” MISA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said in an interview with SABC News.

“This ultimately leaves workers and communities more vulnerable to accidents and traffic violations, which of course means we are less safe on our roads.”

3.1 million traffic fines issued within Johannesburg in 2025 were based on captured speed camera images, while only around 300,000 were hand-written by JMPD officers on patrol.

The loss of these cameras has therefore put a significant dent in Johannesburg’s already struggling financial situation, with traffic fines estimated to generate R50 million every year in revenue.

Hlubi-Majola said this is the latest example of how financial mismanagement and corruption have contributed to the city’s financial decline in recent years.

“We’re also asking the question around ‘why is it that the city does not have its own traffic enforcement system?’” Hlubi-Majola said.

“Why are we relying on service providers? If the city did have its own system, then we wouldn’t actually be in this crisis.”

MISA has called for stronger financial management and higher accountability for poor governance within Johannesburg’s administration.

JMPD seeks new service provider

The JMPD said they are currently in the process of looking for a new service provider who will provide traffic cameras across Johannesburg.

Speaking with SABC News, JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the department would follow municipal supply chains and comply with strict procurement processes.

“Because these contracts involve significant funds, it is vital that we strictly adhere to the Municipal Finance Management Act,” Fihla said.

“We must ensure that the process is entirely transparent and legally sound to avoid any future operational disruptions.”

Fihla said an official announcement would be made by the JMPD as soon as the contract with the new service provider had been negotiated and finalised.

While the traffic cameras are still out of commission, JMPD officers have reportedly stepped up their active traffic policing efforts.

This includes the setting up of roadblocks at high accident zones and known traffic infringement hotspots across Johannesburg.

Fihla said the loss of Syntell’s automated system had only restricted “one specific channel of data capture”, and had not compromised the JMPD’s overall traffic enforcement capabilities.

“The JMPD has intensified its physical deployment strategy to deter lawlessness,” Fihla said. “We want to issue a stern warning to all road users.”

“Johannesburg is absolutely not a speed-free zone. Our officers remain out in full force to clamp down heavily on speeding, driving under the influence, and reckless behaviour.”

Fihla previously said that the JMPD would seek to procure its own camera equipment in future so as to reduce its dependence on third-party service providers.

The Democratic Alliance has strongly criticised the JMPD’s delays in procuring a new service provider to restore Johannesburg’s traffic camera network.

DA shadow Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety Solomon Maila said it was unacceptable that the department had allowed the contract to expire in December without a plan in place.

He specifically blamed the MMC for Public Safety at the time, Mgcini Tshwaku, for a severe dereliction of duty. Tshwaku has since resigned from the position.