By Yiep Joseph and Chol D. Johnson
The Deputy Minister of Interior and who is also Acting Minister, Mangar Buong, has issued fresh orders, including the cancellation of some of the orders recently imposed by the Director General of Traffic Police.
Recently the Director General of Traffic police Kon John Akot issued some directives, including banning tinted vehicles and changing vehicles to the left-hand side, among others.
Akot, however, gave drivers only two weeks to respond to the directives or else incur costs.
However, this controversial directive was opposed by members of the public, including the parliamentarian.
Akot’s office is yet to respond to both the public outcry and this fresh orders from the Acting Minister.
The order of the Acting Minister was read out on his behalf by the police spokesperson, Major Gen. Monday Enoka, on Friday.
According to the order, the acting minister suspended the collection of traffic fees on tinted vehicles and ordered the separation of vehicle logbooks from insurance cards.
Addressing the media Enoka said under the order, vehicle logbooks and insurance documents will now be separated, with each issued independently.
“I, Hon. Mangar Buong, Acting Minister of Interior, do hereby issue this order for the separation of the logbook with insurance in one card and cancellation of traffic charges on tinted vehicles on the road.” Enoka read the order partly.
According to the order, the minister directed an immediate suspension of all traffic charges imposed on factory-tinted vehicles currently on the road until a decision is reached by the Police Leadership Council.
In addition, all locally tinted vehicles are to have their tint removed without any charges.
The order further suspends the conversion of vehicles to left-hand drive and any door modifications, also pending guidance from the Police Leadership Council.
According to the order, the Inspector General of Police is directed and entitled to implement the orders.
“The inspector general of police is hereby entitled to implement the implementation of this order,” he read.
Recently lawmakers in South Sudan’s transitional parliament criticized new traffic charges, calling them illegal and an undue burden on citizens.
During a session of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) on Tuesday, MPs said recent orders from the Traffic Police Director violated laws passed by parliament.
The orders introduce new fees for driving tests and alter the renewal periods for vehicle logbooks and driving licenses.
TNLA Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba said the enforced traffic regulations did not reflect the legislature’s decisions.
“This issue of traffic has become too much for citizens. Every day there is a new law,” she said, questioning the legal basis for the measures. She noted that parliament annually approves revenue sources and defines what traffic police may collect.