Nekundi threatens to deregister traffic cops over hefty fines
Minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi has threatened to revoke the registration of traffic officers who impose hefty traffic fines on rogue drivers, including those operating seven-seater vehicles.
In a bold statement on Tuesday, Nekundi reminded the nation that he holds the authority to suspend any traffic officer’s registration and that he will not hesitate to act if officers abuse their power.
This follows a spate of Easter weekend incidents in which drivers of seven-seater long-distance taxis, an affordable transport option for many Namibians, were allegedly harassed, fined and had their permits revoked, purportedly without due process.
“We cannot have law enforcement becoming a source of intimidation for the public,” Nekundi warned. “As minister of works and transport, I have the authority to suspend or revoke any traffic officer’s registration, and I will exercise that authority where necessary.”
Nekundi described the fines issued to some drivers – reportedly up to N$4 000 – excessive and unjust, particularly given the average income of those affected. “It is very discouraging to see fines of N$4 000 given to someone who only earns N$1 000,” he said.
“Our legislation is not a tool for punishment after punishment. It must be fair and proportionate.”
The minister also reinstated permits that had been revoked during the Easter crackdown and lifted restrictions on passenger numbers in seven-seaters, allowing them to fill all seats when transporting people between towns, provided luggage is stored in trailers.
New rules
On 9 April, Nekundi addressed parliament to announce new regulations aimed at cleaning up the public transport permit system. A key reform includes reducing the validity of permits from indefinite to two years. This change, he explained, is aimed at curbing the abuse of the permit system, where individuals without vehicles have been renting out permits for profit, effectively sidelining actual transport operators.
“Permits will no longer be used as a trade commodity,” Nekundi said, explaining that going forward, permits will be issued only to registered vehicle owners and must be tied to specific vehicles.
Current holders of indefinite permits have until 30 September to convert to the new two-year permits.
He added that accusations suggesting he personally owns a fleet of seven-seaters are baseless. “I own no public transport vehicles,” Nekundi said, rejecting the allegations as political mischief.
He also pushed back against the narrative that seven-seater drivers are inherently reckless. “It is economic hypocrisy, political hypocrisy, hypocrisy of the highest order,” he said. “Anyone can cause an accident. Irresponsibility behind the wheel isn’t confined to any one type of driver or vehicle. That’s why we must educate every motorist to respect road rules and, most importantly, to respect life.”
In a bold statement on Tuesday, Nekundi reminded the nation that he holds the authority to suspend any traffic officer’s registration and that he will not hesitate to act if officers abuse their power.
This follows a spate of Easter weekend incidents in which drivers of seven-seater long-distance taxis, an affordable transport option for many Namibians, were allegedly harassed, fined and had their permits revoked, purportedly without due process.
“We cannot have law enforcement becoming a source of intimidation for the public,” Nekundi warned. “As minister of works and transport, I have the authority to suspend or revoke any traffic officer’s registration, and I will exercise that authority where necessary.”
Nekundi described the fines issued to some drivers – reportedly up to N$4 000 – excessive and unjust, particularly given the average income of those affected. “It is very discouraging to see fines of N$4 000 given to someone who only earns N$1 000,” he said.
“Our legislation is not a tool for punishment after punishment. It must be fair and proportionate.”
The minister also reinstated permits that had been revoked during the Easter crackdown and lifted restrictions on passenger numbers in seven-seaters, allowing them to fill all seats when transporting people between towns, provided luggage is stored in trailers.
New rules
On 9 April, Nekundi addressed parliament to announce new regulations aimed at cleaning up the public transport permit system. A key reform includes reducing the validity of permits from indefinite to two years. This change, he explained, is aimed at curbing the abuse of the permit system, where individuals without vehicles have been renting out permits for profit, effectively sidelining actual transport operators.
“Permits will no longer be used as a trade commodity,” Nekundi said, explaining that going forward, permits will be issued only to registered vehicle owners and must be tied to specific vehicles.
Current holders of indefinite permits have until 30 September to convert to the new two-year permits.
He added that accusations suggesting he personally owns a fleet of seven-seaters are baseless. “I own no public transport vehicles,” Nekundi said, rejecting the allegations as political mischief.
He also pushed back against the narrative that seven-seater drivers are inherently reckless. “It is economic hypocrisy, political hypocrisy, hypocrisy of the highest order,” he said. “Anyone can cause an accident. Irresponsibility behind the wheel isn’t confined to any one type of driver or vehicle. That’s why we must educate every motorist to respect road rules and, most importantly, to respect life.”
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article