Motorcyclists accuse traffic police of unlawful fines

Some commercial motorcyclists in Juba have accused the traffic police of devising schemes to extort them amid preparations for the festive season.

Commonly known as Boda Boda, the motorcyclists claimed that they have been banned from using some designated roads within the city without prior public notification, and they are also being harassed to produce licences and logbooks.

A source who spoke to The City Review anonymously claimed that even after producing the documents, the officers still demand money.

More Boda-Boda riders narrated how the traffic police fined them despite having the necessary documents for the motorbikes.

Extortions

James Khalid, who works at Juba airport road, said he was forced to pay SSP8,000 for using Buluk Hai Thoura on Thursday.

“What those traffic police are doing is something which is not even there; it is something unlawful. You cannot arrest someone because of different things and later you turn to something different, you cannot, ” Mr Khalid complained.  

“If it is not robbing the civilians, how can you seize someone’s motorbike [just because] the person has used Hai Thoura road and comfortably say that the road is out of use by motorists.”

He said at least someone could understand the illegality if one rides along J1 Road. 

Sabir Maluk, another motorist and a student at Nile Model Secondary School, said the traffic police seized his motorbike while he was on his way to school.

“Despite me putting on a school uniform, my bike was taken and they were telling me [that it was] for using the wrong route, but when reaching their office, the story turned out to be a different, thing,” he said.

He said the police officers were motivated by bribes claiming there was no clear offence that he committed.

“I was arrested for using J1 road, when reaching the office, they asked for a logbook. After I produced the logbook, they turned to a motorbike license, after also giving them; they said that I wanted to run away when I was stopped, ” he said.

One of the motorcyclists, who only identified himself as Akol, accused the traffic offices of always creating something that can make them get money from the public whenever December is approaching.

“What those people (traffic police) are doing is the typical way of robbing and grabbing money from the public, and it is the corruption of highest order when done in front of the country’s leaders.”  

He was, however, commiserating with the police officers as he argued that the officers are paid meagerly and late.

“We should expect it to worsen, especially during the Christmas season.”I think their children have started demanding Christmas things, ” he stressed.

One of the traffic police officers in the ranks of major, who preferred anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly, said it was wrong for the police to arrest people for one reason and then change their minds.

“We are mandated to maintain law and order, which includes directing the public to follow rules and regulations, but not mistreating the public.”

The officer added: “So I think I cannot say anything now until those responsible for the exercise explain why they have done or [are] doing that, but charging people anyhow is against our law, and if there is something new, it should be well explained.”