The Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) has reportedly been unable to legally issue fines since 2024 and doesn’t seem to be anywhere near resolving this crisis.
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According to EWN who broke the story today, the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) has been unable to issue fines since October 2024. According to the news house, this includes issuing, processing, or capturing of traffic fines due to the expiration of its contract with road safety and fine management service provider, Syntell, on 30 September. Despite an initial extension of the contract until the end of that month, no new provider has been appointed, leaving the department in limbo.
Syntell, the same company used by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), was responsible for handling fine processing, warrants, summons, and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology. According to the story, senior EMPD sources confirmed that without a new contract, they cannot enforce fines but despite the inability to issue fines, EMPD officers continue stopping motorists for traffic violations.
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An internal email from Ekurhuleni’s Chief Information Officer, sent on 8 January, outlined the city’s plan to internalise law enforcement through an Integrated Law Enforcement Management System (ILEMS). The system was meant to go live on 11 January, but this has not yet happened. EMPD acting chief Julius Mkhwanazi declined to comment on the situation, saying only that the ILEMS system was still being developed. To exacerbate the situation, the breakdown in fine processing comes as EMPD faces serious leadership challenges. The department remains divided following the suspension of its former head, Isaac Mapiyeye, who was removed due to sexual harassment allegations.
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Meanwhile, acting chief Mkhwanazi is under scrutiny for allegedly distributing blue lights unlawfully and entering questionable deals on behalf of the city. Reports indicate that he was involved in forging a memorandum of understanding that allowed a private security company, CAT VIP, to use EMPD vehicles. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) recommended that Mkhwanazi face charges for enabling third parties to impersonate police officers. More worryingly, internal sources reported to EWN that the EMPD is in chaos, with broken vehicles, lack of maintenance, and ongoing political interference preventing officers from carrying out their duties effectively.
While the EMPD are in a state of limbo, motorists in the Metro are encouraged to still abide by the rule of law and also cooperate with any law enforcement while understanding their limited jurisdiction during this time. No official statement from the Metro has been issued to the public yet to clarify their awkward position however in light of this news story breaking, it is expected that a press release or conference addressing this pressing issue will occur timeously despite the lacklustre leadership position the department finds itself in. This will also provide some clarity for motorists that were fined between November 2024 and until the issue is resolved.
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