Cape Town motorists will once again have a chance to clear unpaid fines and settle outstanding warrants as the City prepares to host its well-known traffic fine roadshow at the Civic Centre.
The initiative, which is one of the City’s most visited walk-in services each year, offers drivers a simplified space to review fines, submit representations and potentially secure reduced amounts.
The City of Cape Town explains that operations will begin with a readiness trial on Friday, 5 December. This session will only accommodate City staff and people processing ’20 or more fines/warrants.’
From Saturday, 6 December, running until 12:30pm, the event will open to all members of the public. Thereafter, the roadshow will continue from Monday, 8 December to Friday, 12 December.
Operational teams will set each day’s cut-off time, and anyone still waiting in the queue at closing will receive a ticket ensuring they are served first the following day.
Residents planning to attend are encouraged to consult the City’s FAQ document for key details and to manage expectations, the City notes.
The roadshow has built a strong reputation for helping motorists resolve outstanding issues efficiently, as stated by Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
‘The roadshows are incredibly popular, and a win-win for all concerned. Motorists get to clear the slate and the City gets to reduce the mammoth number of outstanding fines and associated paperwork.’
Smith added that many motorists ‘drive off with the better deal,’ highlighting both the reduced amounts payable and the convenience of centralised services compared to visiting individual municipal courts.
Recent traffic enforcement data shows why the City continues prioritising such efforts. Between July and September 2025, the Traffic Service recorded 815 613 offences, an 11% increase compared with the same period in the previous year.
In the same three-month period, officers executed 27 771 warrants of arrest linked to unpaid fines and missed court appearances, marking a slight year-on-year rise.
These figures illustrate the growing enforcement workload and the demand for accessible avenues to settle traffic-related matters.
With holiday travel approaching, the City signals that more roadblocks and vehicle checkpoints will be deployed.
Alderman Smith noted that automated number plate recognition technology is increasingly being used to identify ‘scofflaws with ease,’ making it far more likely that drivers with outstanding warrants will be detected.
‘Please take advantage of the roadshow or one of our other fine payment options,’ he urged, warning that motorists with unpaid warrants could face arrest this festive season.
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