A TAXI driver in Honiara has been fined $500 dollars on the spot by police traffic officers for driving an expired car on Monday this week, prompting him to call for an investigation into such ‘corrupt practices.’
Speaking to the Solomon Star, the taxi driver said that the traffic officers threatened him for a court case fine of $10,000 if he refused to pay them $500 dollars on the spot.
The taxi driver said he was very disappointed with the way they demanded him to pay the $500 dollars fine on the spot.
“I thought such issues like expired cars and license should be taken to the court and from there, they can decide on the amount of fine for breaking traffic laws,” he said.
The taxi driver said the traffic officers took him to their office and demanded him to pay the fine and because he only had $300 dollars in his pocket, he asked them for credits for the remaining amount.
“They refused to release me unless I give them the full amount. So, I called one of my friends to borrow money from to pay up the total amount demanded of me.
“I think that only the courts have the right to determine the amounts of fine for those who broke traffic laws and not the traffic officers,” the taxi driver said.
The taxi driver said later on that day, he received a message from a reliable source that police traffic officers have been doing this for a very long time and no one ever reported this issue which has affected many vehicle owners in Honiara to the appropriate authourity.
“They have set an on-the-spot fine of $500 dollars for locals and $1,000 plus for foreigners and business people,” the taxi driver alleged.
The taxi driver said what the traffic offers are doing is wrong and the matter must be made public to make people aware of the corrupt practice of the public officers so the appropriate authority can investigate and ensure they pay for it.
By MARY MANELEGUA
Solomon Star, Honiara.
