Road Fund Donates Automated Traffic Justice System to Judiciary in Lesotho

In a move aimed at streamlining the handling of traffic-related offences, Lesotho’s Road Fund has officially handed over an Automated Traffic Justice System (ATJS) to the judiciary. The handover ceremony was held in Maseru on Wednesday and marks a significant milestone in enhancing the country’s road safety and justice processes.

Speaking at the event, Road Fund Chief Executive Officer Mrs. ‘Mats’epang Sekhokoane outlined the importance of the system in bridging the gap between institutions that manage road traffic offences. She stated that the purpose of the day was to officially hand over the Automated Traffic Justice System, which will assist in efficiently managing spot fines — from the moment an offence is committed to the point where the offender fails to pay the fine for various reasons.

Mrs. Sekhokoane revealed that the Road Fund has invested approximately M25 million into the development and implementation of the ATJS. These funds covered the purchase of new digital devices, development of the system, training, stakeholder meetings, and other operational needs required to ensure full functionality.

She explained that the digital journey began in 2019 with the introduction of the electronic spot fine system, which was intended to replace the traditional paper-based approach. However, the department soon discovered challenges when offenders were taken to court by the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), as paper-based citations proved difficult to process and present effectively in legal proceedings.

The new ATJS is expected to eliminate these inefficiencies by allowing authorities to track unpaid fines, manage repeat offenders more effectively, and improve transparency within the enforcement process. It will also reduce the administrative burden on the judiciary and police, enhance data accuracy, and support broader efforts to improve road safety and compliance.

This donation reflects the Road Fund’s commitment to investing in innovative solutions that modernise traffic law enforcement and strengthen institutional collaboration. It marks a significant step forward in ensuring that justice is delivered swiftly and effectively, while promoting safer roads for all in Lesotho.