Transport and Logistics Minister, Frank Tayali has tasked the new Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) Board to immediately investigate the issue of the over 33,000 vehicles suspected to have been illegally imported into the country, but registered by the agency.
Over 33, 000 vehicles have been discovered not to have matching records of customs clearance between the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), a development that has resulted in the suspension of 6 senior RTSA officers who including RTSA Director Gladwell Banda.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony of the eight-member RTSA board to be led by Allen Mate in Lusaka today, Mr Tayali says the board is expected to conduct investigations in the matter without fear or favor for the truth to come out and a solution to be found.
He says the issue at hand is very serious and borders on national security because if not handled well and left unchecked, it might result in the country having insurgents driving through the borders.
Meanwhile, the minister has noted the need for the tenure of office of the board members to be reduced to at least 3-years from the current 5-years.
And Mr Tayali has directed the board to find solutions to enhance service delivery and mitigate the spate of road traffic crashes and fatalities the nation continues to record annually.
He has also noted the need to advocate for the construction of inclusive roads that cater for all road users including people living with disabilities.
And new RTSA Board Chairperson, Allen Mate assured has pledged the board’s commitment to the delivery and implementation of policies vigilantly, effectively and efficiently in order to reduce accidents, improve on-road rules compliance and ensure prudent use of resources.
The other members of the board include Kennedy Mumba, Bubala Chibbonta, Patrick Choolwe, Emmanuel Sampa, Anna Kasor, George Manyele and Wallace Mumba.
The answer to this is at ZRA. It’s the reason that Kingsley Chanda suspended some clearing agents. RTSA will register any vehicle as long it’s cleared by ZRA. Some clearing agents, especially at Nakonde, used to connive with some ZRA employees and others to clear some vehicles under wrong customs tariffs to avoid taxes. There are some freightliners that were cleared as Toyota Corollas thereby paying less duty. This was going on over a period of time. Kingsley engaged Zindaba Soko and came up with an amnesty for those that were in that situation to volunteer and re-declare their vehicles and discounts were given. But many people weren’t the 1st buyers, that’s how car dealers came into the picture. Tayali must be patient otherwise he’ll punish innocent people. Remove emotions from the…
Is there no end to the illegality and theiving that happened under PF …..??????
Every week we have news of more illegality and stealing , …………
How could a country function like that ???
HOW MANY OF THESE WERE BROUGHT IN BY THE PATRI0TIC F00LLS
I am not surprised given that the then ZRA Boss Kingsley Chanda also owned Import Freight caompanies…ACC need to pay him a visit. You will see some bloggers like Salousi and Deja Vu quiet on such issues when its us losing precious tax revenue. I am sure someone like Deja Vu who has a cavalier CB atitude may have imported his vehicle through the back door.
Fat minister full of farts
FAT OR NOT HE IS BRINGING YOU TO BOOK
NOT YOU PERSONALLY 1MP0STER AS ITS DOUBTFULL YOU HAVE CAR KIKIKI
So, Deja Vu was aware of all those illegalities he rightly articulate, to beg the question is why Deja Vu never reported these criminal acts is beyond me. Any clue Tarino Orange?
Tarino Orange and that tribalism master Muna, I own a simple car. I don’t need a fancy wagon because the idea of owning a vehicle is to take me to point B from point A. As for the phool called Muna who makes life by using his back hole to please white men, be assured that I don’t know anything concerning such matters.
Don’t be surprised if one or more of these blue eyed boys owned one of the 33,000.
Ba minister this is a misplaced priority. investigating 33000 vehicles will not reduce fatalities on our roads.