An estate fines residents R4,000 for courier speeding tickets, a new international flight, and the new cheapest electric bakkie in South Africa

These were the five biggest stories in South Africa’s transport industry this week.

South African estate fines residents R4,000 for courier driver speeding tickets

Many residents in Midstream Estate have voiced their objection to the estate’s new speed cameras and to being fined up to R4,000 when a courier driver breaks the rules.

The estate launched a new, unmanned system in September with stand-alone, back-to-back speed measuring cameras installed at three fixed locations and five more rotating between nine other locations.

Penalties range from R550 for driving between 40 km/h and 49 km/h and R4,400 for exceeding 70 km/h, and the estate has already raked in more than R700,000 in speeding fines.

South Africa’s new cheapest electric bakkie

Distributor Enviro Automotive has revealed the pricing and specifications for the upcoming Riddara RD6 Econ electric bakkie.

Riddara is a sub-brand of Chinese carmaker Geely, which is set to launch in South Africa before the end of the year.

The RD6 will start at R725,000, making it R375,000 cheaper than the country’s only other electric double cab, the R1,100,000 Maxus T90.

New international flight for South Africa

South African Airways (SAA) has expanded its international network with the launch of a new flight between South Africa and Botswana.

The new service runs twice-daily between O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gabarone.

The new service is another step in SAA’s ongoing financial recovery, following its troubled history throughout the 2010s that culminated in it going into voluntary business rescue in 2019.

Speed camera and roadblock warning for South Africa

South African motorists travelling in Johannesburg and Cape Town will see a significant increase in traffic stops and speed traps this festive season as traffic authorities implement high-density operational plans to crack down on reckless driving.

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department stated it plans to up the frequency of roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, and fixed and mobile speed cameras around the city.

Similarly, Cape Town will conduct 24/7 traffic patrols on key routes to monitor driver behaviour over the holidays.

New Toyota Hilux officially revealed

Toyota has finally unveiled the next-generation Hilux, which will go on sale in 2026.

The new model marks the ninth generation of the iconic pickup, and comes 10 years after the current-gen units made their debut.

The automaker has confirmed that it will feature a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, as well as an all-new battery electric option.