Motorists in Livingstone have appealed to the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to improve their network system to facilitate timely payments for various services.
David Simwanza, a Livingstone based taxi driver, said enhancement of the RTSA system would help motorists pay statutory fees on time and consequently avoid having their vehicles impounded unnecessarily at checkpoints.
Speaking on behalf of other motorists, Mr. Simwanza, said one of the main reasons most motorists fail to pay the required fees on time was due to the poor network services at RTSA.
“RTSA should find a way to organise and update their systems. It is unfortunate that some taxi drivers are sent back and told to visit the agency on a later day…and sadly no traffic officer would tolerate the fact that you have no license because of such delays,” he said.
Mr. Simwanza also noted that there were too many requirements which motorists were mandated to pay for and urged the agency to be more flexible.
He however appealed to his fellow motorists to be responsible enough by paying on time in order to avoid inconveniences.
“For those that have the money, make sure you pay on time instead of waiting for extensions from RTSA. This is for our own benefit and for our safety,“ he said.
Meanwhile, RTSA Head of Public Relations Fredrick Mubanga said the 14 days grace period that was given to the motorists was enough time for them to acquire road service licenses despite the notable low compliance on the road tax payment.
Mr. Mubanga added that RTSA would not extend the grace period adding that motorists that have not paid would have their vehicles impounded without compromise.
RTSA gave a grace period of 14 days within which motorists and fleet owners had to acquire motor vehicle and trailer licenses (road tax) and road service licenses for the year 2019.
All motorists, fleet owners and public service vehicle operators had an extension of up to January 14, 2019 to pay for the required licenses.
People are too broke….need for another extension.imagine three kids make it to grade 10..
The ques are too long. Let us pay electronically and present a code just to make a print out and spend less than a minute at RTSA.
The Queues at RATSA are a deliberate move to frustrate people and its an inside job to corrupt desperate customers. The chaps at the counters have organized with other workers to collect money which they divide among themselves. This is a fact!