Maravi

RTSA refutes allegations of being used by MMD

RTSA refutes allegations of being used by MMD
By Mutale Kapekele
Thu 24 Dec. 2009, 04:00 CAT

The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has refuted allegations that it is being used by the ruling MMD to harass bus operators who are in opposition political parties.

On Tuesday, Kasama Central PF member of parliament Geoffrey Mwamba complained to RTSA director Fredrick Mwalusaka over harassment of his bus drivers by traffic officers.

But in a statement issued by RTSA principle publicity officer Khozi Mwila, Mwalusaka expressed disappointment with Mwamba’s allegations.

“RTSA is disappointed by the allegations from Mr Geoffrey Mwamba that the agency is being used by the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) to cripple his transport business,” Mwalusaka stated. “The Agency operates on the principles of good corporate governance which includes fairness, accountability, transparency and professionalism.”

Mwalusaka stated that it was regrettable that individuals of different politic affiliations always wanted to associate the operations of the RTSA with politics.

“RTSA is meant for the greater good of the general populace, as mandated by law,” he stated. “At no time has the RTSA received any instructions from any political party to fix any transport operator. It is unfortunate that the matter has been politicised when in fact the two impounded motor vehicles in question which operate as Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and are owned by Mr Mwamba were at the time of the RTSA patrols, found to be defective.”

According to Mwalusaka, one bus belonging to Mwamba was impounded on 18th December, 2009.

“The owner was instructed to ensure that the motor vehicle was taken to RTSA on 21st December, 2009 for re-examination to ensure that the defects were rectified in an effort to safeguard the lives of travelling passengers,” Mwalusaka stated.

“Further on 20th December, 2009, another Marcopolo coach owned by Mwamba was impounded for being driven by an unlicensed driver, overloading, defective wipers, defective indicators and a defective gear box.”

He stated that it was inevitable that the buses were impounded.

“In view of the defects found with the buses, it was inevitable that such kind of motor vehicles be impounded as part of RTSA’s larger programme to make the transport system safer for all road users,” he stated. “As it is a requirement by law that all drivers move with their driving licences whenever in control of a motor vehicle, it is within the RTSA’s mandate to impound motor vehicles driven by drivers who fail to produce driving licences as it could be assumed that the driver is unqualified and therefore people’s lives could be at risk.”

He described as unfortunate that Mwamba’s visit to the RTSA appeared to have been “ill-intended” as the matter was amicably resolved with Mwamba agreeing to rectify the defects on the motor vehicles.

Mwalusaka stated that RTSA would not stop implementing and enforcing road traffic regulations and urged all road users to adhere to traffic rules if they did not want to be inconvenienced.

Labels: BUSES, GEOFFREY MWAMBA, KHOZI MWILA, MMD, RTSA

posted by MrK @ 5:54 PM