South Sudan’s inspector general of police has revoked a series of newly introduced traffic rules and fees, following strong criticism from lawmakers and the public who complained that the measures were unlawful and intended for extortion.
The reversal, announced Thursday on state television, cancels directives issued earlier this week by the director of traffic police, Maj. Gen. Kon John Akot. Only the ban on vehicles with tinted windows will remain in effect, with exemptions for certified medical conditions, police Gen. Said Chawul Lom said.
The scrapped measures had included a ban on right-hand-drive vehicles and vehicles with left-side sliding doors, new charges for driving tests, and changes to renewal periods for driver’s licenses and vehicle logbooks.
National legislators argued the traffic police leadership had acted without legal authority, imposing rules that contradicted existing parliamentary legislation.
Lawmakers accused Maj. Gen. Kon of introducing a mandatory “driving test certificate” and other requirements to extract money from citizens.
The South Sudan Bar Association said Wednesday it would take legal action over the orders, citing violations of constitutional and legal rights. It announced the formation of a special committee to address the issue.
Gen. Chawul said vehicles with right-hand drive and left-side sliding doors can operate normally unless and until parliament passes a law restricting them. He also clarified that driver’s licenses remain valid for five years as provided by law, dismissing claims of altered renewal periods.
The inspector general’s announcement followed sustained pressure from citizens and members of parliament.