By Hou Akot Hou
Traffic police officers in the Northern Bahr El Ghazal state have started seizing motorcycles and cars without licensed plate numbers.
Simon Dut, a traffic police officer said the crackdown is an effort to reduce on accidents as well as hit and run cases where perpetrators swiftly escape after knocking a pedestrian.
He revealed that the police have launched seizing motorbikes and cars without number plate to make sure that traffic laws are followed.
“We have caught 30 motorcycles and two cars. The orders came all the way from the Ministry of Interior, and we have to abide by them,” he said.
The police announced last week that everyone has to come for number plates, but some people still shied away, prompting the law enforcement officers to swing into action.
The officer stated that anyone who does not act within the ambit of the law will face punishment.
One of the motorists, who declined to be named for fear of reprisal, said the traffic officers are extorting money.
“Where do they think we can get 58,000 SSP to get the number plates? This is too much,” he protested.
Last week, the state traffic police directorate announced to the public that a motorcycle number plate would cost 50,000 South Sudanese pounds, while motor vehicle number plate is charged 80,000 South Sudanese Pounds.