18 Mar 2014

Parliament has been told that as at January 31, a total of 148 081 cases/vehicles had been flagged since the inception of flagging.

Answering a question in Parliament on behalf of the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Johnnie Swartz, who is the Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology said a total of 87 152 flagged cases had been resolved.

He said the owner of the vehicle had the full responsibility/ liability for the activities of his/her vehicle but where he/she availed sufficient evidence that the vehicle was not under his/her care at the stated time, particulars of the person charged would appear on police records.

Minister Swartz said if proved that the vehicle was being used by garage personnel, the alleged driver would be dealt with accordingly and the vehicle might be un-flagged upon receipt of such information.

However, the minister said each case would be treated on its own merits and that it should be noted that currently, the system flags the vehicle not the driver because the vehicle ownership is definitive and easily traceable.

MP for Kgalagadi North, Mr Phillip Khwae had asked how many vehicles have been flagged since flagging was introduced and how many vehicles had been paid for.

He had also asked the minister if he was aware that vehicles taken for service could be subjected to traffic offences when taken for road testing, if so, how is the owner of the vehicle being protected from such charges which he/she might not be aware of. ENDS