Public Protector, Caroline Sokoni has noted with concern reports of the increase in unlawful impounding of motor vehicles by traffic police officers.
Mrs. Sokoni notes that the impounding of motor vehicles by Zambia Police has increased even in circumstances where the offense committed is not impoundable under the law.
She states that in most cases, members of the public are law-abiding and are willing to pay fines that go into government coffers but that some traffic police officers prefer impounding vehicles as a scheme to solicit bribes from inconvenienced motorists.
Mrs. Sokoni says this act by traffic police officers is obstructing government’s fight against mal-administration and corruption when law enforcement officers must not be the ones promoting these vices.
She adds that as an institution mandated by the law to ensure adherence to processes and procedures in public institutions, her office will not allow a few officers under the traffic department dent the image of the Zambia Police due to their failure to follow the laid down procedures when carrying out their duties.
Mrs. Sokoni has called on the Zambia Police traffic officers to be professional and avoid procedural improprieties as they execute their duties that lead to the impounding of motor vehicles without proper justification and victimization of members of the public.
PHOENIX NEWS