Marthina Mutanga
THE City police has been sending text messages since March this year for outstanding warrants of arrest in an ongoing operation to recover over N$10 million in unpaid traffic fines.
City Police Public Relations Officer, Fabian Amukwelele urged motorists who have received text messages to come to their office to settle outstanding fines to avoid being arrested.
Amukwelele further noted that the City police is deeply concerned about the large number of offenders who have been delaying paying their traffic fines for as long as 10 years.
He noted that traffic officers are making use of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology at the roadblocks and the system is proving to be effective in detecting traffic offenders.
So far, over 700 offenders were arrested, while many more continue to flock to City Police offices to make enquiries about outstanding fines.
Amukwelele added that soon, officers will start going to both the offenders’ residence and place of work to arrest them.
Apart from collecting money owed by motorists and holding non-compliant motorists to task, Amukwelele said the operation is also aimed at promoting good driving behaviour.
Amukwelele concluded by warning that during the festive season, the police is going to be all over the City to ensure law and order are maintained.
