Bakwena now offers contactless payments across the entire N1/N4 route, in line with the latest banking regulations and toll industry standards.

As of September 2025, the former offline card system or magstripe swipe payment has been fully replaced with a secure online “tap-and-go” payment system or EMV.

EMV is a global standard for payment cards that uses an embedded microprocessor chip instead of a magnetic stripe to make transactions more secure (the card stays in the road user’s possession during transactions, reducing the risk of card skimming and fraudulent toll payments). The acronym stands for Europay, Mastercard and Visa, the companies that developed the standard.

EMV facilitates immediate bank verification, which now includes payment with a debit card. Bakwena no longer accepts a magstripe swipe payment with the exception of fleet/garage/petrol cards.

Accepted Toll Payment Methods include:

• Debit and credit cards (ensure tap-enabled and have the required funds available)
• Smartphones and wearables using Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Wallet
• Cash
• SANRAL Tag

Tag Top-Up Facilities

Motorists using SANRAL tags are urged to top up before travelling. Tag services are available at:

• N1 Total Panorama Petroport
• Total Waverley (14 Stormvoel Road, Kilnerpark)
• Bakwena Hatfield Tag Office (420 Festival Street, Hatfield, Pretoria)
• N4 Total Magalies Petroport
• N4 Shell Ultra City (East)
• N4 Shell Platinum (Rustenburg)
• Swartruggens (20 Andries Pretorius Street)
• SANRAL Customer Service Centres, EFT, and the SANRAL App

 To ensure the safest and most efficient travel experience, the following can be expected on the Bakwena N1N4 Route over the festive season:

1. Full staff deployment and lane optimisation

• All toll plaza lanes are fully staffed during peak travel times.
• Toll plaza lanes are optimised where required to support the direction of highest traffic flow.

1. Partnerships and visible policing

In collaboration with partners such as Motus/Renault South Africa, and law enforcement Bakwena supports:

• Additional patrol vehicles for 24/7 surveillance, quicker response to incidents and improved traffic flow.
• Roadblocks and targeted safety operations focusing on roadworthiness, overloading, licensing and alcohol checks.

1. No construction during peak holiday period

• From 13 December 2025 to mid-January 2026, no construction work or construction work lane closures will take place on the N1N4 route to maintain smooth traffic flow.

 Plan your journey around peak travel times

To avoid congestion, motorists are encouraged to travel outside these expected busy periods:

December 2025

• 12, 15, 19, 24 and 31 December: 12:00 – 21:00
• 13 and 20 December: 06:00 – 15:00

January 2026

• 4 and 11 January: 12:00 – 21:00

Solomon Kganyago, Bakwena’s Chief Operating Officer, provides some practical safety tips to  customers:

Before you travel

• Plan your route and time your travel to avoid the peak hours.
• Ensure your vehicle is road worthy.
• Stick to the speed limit and be patient.
• Stop to rest every two hours or 200 km to prevent fatigue.
• Ensure that your debit and credit cards are tap-enabled and have the required funds available.
• Ensure that your Tag is sufficiently funded for your trip.

At the toll plaza

• Choose the correct payment lane early.
• Have your payment method ready.
• Keep a safe following distance.
• If a transaction fails, stay calm. Never rush—always carry a backup payment option (cash or card).

In an emergency

• 24/7 Customer Care/Emergency Line: 0800 BAKWENA (0800 225 9362)
• Use the nearest blue kilometre marker boards to confirm your exact location when requesting help.

Traffic updates

• Follow @bakwenan1n4 on X for real-time route information.

Bakwena remains committed to eliminating fatalities on the N1N4 route. We urge all motorists to obey the rules of the road, stay alert and travel safely.

From the entire Bakwena team, we wish you a safe and pleasant holiday journey