a great company starts with us

ABOUT US

Background

The Institute of Traffic Officers of Southern Africa was founded in Cape Town on the 10th of December 1936, with the following aims and objectives:

1. To promote traffic control in all its branches. 2. The professional advancement of its Members, provided that the Institute shall at no time and in no manner whatsoever take or support any action, or permit any action being taken, which may be construed as, or which may have the effect of converting the Institute into a Trade Union.

With the outbreak of the Second World War, the activities of the Institute came to a halt due to the fact that the members were called up for active duty. After the War, the Institute once again started its activities and conducted the first examinations for traffic officers in Southern Africa. Although the membership of the Institute was at that stage limited to whites only due to Government Policy, all race groups were allowed to participate in the examinations of the Institute.

This Institute was instructed by Government to encourage other race groups to found their own Institutes. During 1983, this Institute was requested by the Institute of Non European Traffic Officers of Southern Africa to be allowed as members of the Institute of Traffic Officers of Southern Africa. Knowing that such a request would not be approved by the Government due to instructions, this Institute amended its Constitution and allowed all persons, irrespective of colour or creed, to become members.

This amendment took place on 1985-11-07. A number of the senior members of the Institute who did not agree with the amendment, resigned. From 1946 until 1973, this Institute was the only organisation which offered training for traffic officers. During 1973 the respective Provincial Administrations instituted the colleges for the compulsory basic training of traffic officers, with the assistance of this Institute.

Until today this Institute has conducted courses for the advanced training of traffic officers and has updated and adapted its courses on a regular basis in order to provide in the needs of modern techniques and demands. This Institute is justly proud that it has trained the majority of Executive Officers who now administer the onerous task of traffic control in the Republic of South Africa. Traffic officers of all race groups and genders.

This Institute is proud of the fact that as far back as 1985, it broke down racial barriers concerning its membership, under the most difficult circumstances. On the 1998-05-22, this Institute changed its name slightly and is now the Institute of Traffic and Municipal Police Officers of Southern Africa. This step was taken in order to accommodate Municipal Police, as envisaged in the South African Police Services Bill, 1998. The Institute now has approximately 7000 members.

Since its inception this Institute has supported and promoted various local government organisations and the Department of Transport in matters relating to traffic control, safety and municipal policing. This Institute rendered this service free of charge, and will continue doing so in future, whenever required. This Institute also liaises with all other Institutes on matters of common interest.

This Institute wishes to emphasise that it is, and has always been a non-political organisation and dissociates itself from anything which may give it the appearance of a labour union.