The amendments are centred around the provisions for impounding vehicles and the related penalties. The public participation process runs for 30 days, starting on Friday, 19 September 2025.
The City’s Traffic By-Law is nearly 15 years old, having first been promulgated in 2011.
A process to amend the by-law got under way in 2019, specifically making provision for the impoundment of vehicles in certain instances, including focusing directly on all public transport vehicles. These amendments were gazetted in 2022.
‘The by-law is designed to improve road safety and effect behaviour change in road users. Unfortunately, we continue to see widespread disregard for applicable national legislation and the by-law, and that is why we went back to the drawing board. The amendments that have been tabled are once more centred on impoundments, with a view to providing greater clarity to road users and the staff tasked with enforcing the legislation,’ said the Chairperson of the City’s Safety and Security Portfolio Committee, Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe.
The draft amendment document is available here: https://bit.ly/4nDy9E1
The amendments adopt a no tolerance approach to reckless driving behaviour, regulating both the private and public transportation road users.
It is envisioned that they will:
- help create a safer, more orderly transport system
- encourage responsible driver behaviour, and ensuring vehicle safety across the city’s roads
- strengthen the rules around public transport operations and road usage
- curb reckless driving and reduce the risks faced by road users
‘The persistent complaints about driver behaviour has to be addressed. Our enforcement staff use everything at their disposal to tackle the issue, but nothing changes, so we need to ramp up our efforts, to protect lives and the interests of law-abiding citizens. I encourage the public to engage with the draft amendments, and to make their voices heard so that we can work towards a safer city for all,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS:
Submissions on the draft amendments can be made between 19 September to 19 October 2025, as follows:
- E-mail: traffic.bylaw@capetown.gov.za
- Written: Attention: Pamela Mkosi, Traffic Services, Gallows Hill Traffic Department, Corner of Ebenezer and Somerset Rd, Green Point, Cape Town, 8001
- Telephonic comments: 021 444 7691 – between 08:00 and 16:30 on weekdays
Special assistance will be given to people who cannot read or write people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups who are unable to submit written comments. To have their inputs or comments recorded and submitted to the municipality. For such purpose, members of the above-mentioned groups may contact the City of Cape Town Public Participation Unit:
For Disadvantaged Group’s Assistance, contact Anathi Dywili on telephone 021 400 9825 or email anathi.dywili@capetown.gov.za.
