K60, 000 RTSA penalty fee sparks controversy

By Staff Reporter, LUSAKA 

The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has notified the public that the penalty when convicted for failure to change motor vehicle ownership is K60, 000. 

“RTSA is hereby reminding members of the public that it is a requirement under the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002 that registered owners of motor vehicles and holders of Drivers Licences notify the Agency within fourteen days upon change of contact details or address and ownership of the motor vehicle,” reads the statement in part. 

In a statement, RTSA has therefore, appealed to members of the Public that own motor vehicles and those that are holders of driver’s licences to notify the Agency of such changes. 

The Agency is also concerned with the rising cases of failure to change motor vehicle ownership and is therefore appealing to members of the public to adhere to the requirement as anyone abrogating this law will be charged accordingly. 

However, car owners have reacted to the penalty with mixed feelings and among others, Hillary Kakuwa says that is an absurd amount. 

“Incase you didn't realize. Why charge that much when most cars on the Zambian roads are less than K40,000? That is insane! Revise that figure,” he says. 

Chileshe Mulenga adds that most car owners don't own houses. 

“We don't stay at the same place for more than three months. This is not practical period, nibukabolala! you have to consider what an average Zambian earns. I will personally petition this and you will revise the penalty this is broad daylight robbery,” he says. 

Meanwhile, RTSA states that complying is much easier than disobeying. 

“Our approach is proactive hence we always advise people to change ownership, we want people to change ownership and furnish the agency with working contact details as stipulated by law but if people decide to do otherwise, the law has provided for penalties such as above,” RTSA states.