Traffic police ordered to stop collecting fines on streets

The Assistant Inspector General for Traffic Police, Lieutenant General Kon John Akot, has ordered traffic officers to stop collecting fines from motorists on the streets.

Under the new directive, fines for traffic offences must be paid at Traffic Police offices.

General Akot said officers should advise motorists who commit traffic offences to report to Traffic Police Headquarters in Buluk, where their cases will be recorded and handled.

“I have directed that no traffic police officer or non-commissioned officer deployed on any street in Juba is allowed to impose or collect fines from anyone who violates traffic rules, whether they are driving a vehicle or riding a motorcycle. The only procedure officers are required to follow is to escort the vehicle or motorcycle to the Traffic Police Headquarters in Buluk, where the owner or rider will be officially fined,” he said speaking to the state-owned SSBC on Tuesday.

He warned that officers who disobey the order and continue collecting money from motorists on the streets will face disciplinary action before the Police Court.

“Any officer who collects money from a motorist on the street will be considered to have acted on their own responsibility and will be held personally accountable. If an officer is caught on camera collecting money on the street, or if a complaint is filed against them, we, as the administration, will arrest the officer and refer them to the Police Court for disciplinary action,” he warned.

General Akot also warned that officers caught on camera receiving bribes from motorists will be arrested and prosecuted according to the law.

The Traffic Police Directorate says the measure is aimed at strengthening accountability, fighting corruption and ensuring that traffic laws are enforced through proper procedures.