Bar Association gives Interior Ministry three days over vehicle number plates

The South Sudan Bar Association has given the Minister of Interior three days to revoke an alleged directive on company vehicle number plates, release seized vehicles and refund fees collected, or face legal action.

In a press release shared with Eye Radio and signed by the Association’s chairperson, Arop Malueth Manoon, the Bar Association accused the Directorate of Traffic Police of seizing company-owned vehicles, forcibly replacing their number plates and demanding payments exclusively in US dollars for new plates and the release of the vehicles.

The Association said the plates described as outdated were issued by the same Directorate after vehicle owners paid the required fees, arguing that they remain valid proof of vehicle registration.

It said it had found no law, ministerial order, regulation or public notice authorising the compulsory replacement of the plates, seizure of vehicles on that basis or collection of additional fees in foreign currency.

The Bar Association argued that the alleged practice violates several provisions of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan, including those concerning the rule of law, the National Legislature’s powers to impose fees, the South Sudanese pound as legal tender and the protection of private property.

It also questioned the authority of caretaker office holders to introduce new substantive measures while the national parliament remains unelected.

The Association said it had formally served the Minister of Interior with a notice of demand and intention to institute legal proceedings.

It is demanding the immediate withdrawal of the alleged directive, the unconditional release of all seized vehicles, a full refund of money collected, an independent investigation into the officers involved and a public announcement outlining the measures taken.

The Bar Association warned that failure to comply within three days would prompt it to seek legal remedies before the competent courts of South Sudan or the East African Court of Justice.

It also said it could refer the matter to the South Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission.

Association chairperson Arop Malueth Manoon said the rule of law must be respected and that no public official has the authority to seize property or impose charges without a legal basis.

The Association urged affected companies to preserve receipts and other records relating to payments and vehicle seizures. It also called on its members to provide legal assistance to those affected.

The Bar Association appealed to the public to remain calm and pursue the matter through lawful channels.

The Ministry of Interior and the Directorate of Traffic Police had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of writing.