Major General Kon John Akot, Director of the national Traffic Police. (Photo: Courtesy).

Some members of the public and motorists have criticized the Directorate of Traffic Police over newly introduced traffic regulations and fees, describing the measures as an attempt to extort money from road users.

The criticism follows a heated debate in the National Legislative Assembly this week, where lawmakers accused the Director of Traffic Police, Major General Kon John Akot, of introducing new charges for driving tests and altering the renewal periods for vehicle registration logbooks and driving licences in violation of existing laws.

“These measures are aimed at extorting money from the public,” said Mayom County MP Jiel Thow, criticizing the mandatory driving test certificate.

“This requirement has no legal basis and contradicts laws passed by this parliament.”

The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Security and Public Order, Samuel Pochori Loti, also faulted the Traffic Police Directorate, accusing it of openly defying the law.

“By including insurance details in traffic records, the Traffic Police are effectively reintroducing annual renewals that this parliament deliberately abolished,” Loti said.

Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament Jemma Nunu Kumba called for the Minister of Interior to be summoned, warning that continued enforcement of the new requirements would worsen the hardship already faced by citizens.

“These measures will only increase the suffering of our people if they continue to be enforced,” she said.

A day after the parliamentary criticism, Major General Kon John Akot issued a new directive banning right-hand-drive vehicles, tinted windows, and certain public transport configurations, giving motorists across the country seven days to comply before strict enforcement begins.

Members of the public have also weighed in, urging parliament to exercise oversight over the Directorate of Traffic Police.

“The minister of interior must appear before parliament to explain these orders,” said Arcangelo, a resident of Juba.

“Most vehicles in this country are right-hand-drive. This directive is not well thought out and will negatively affect many citizens.”

Another resident, David Mahok from Wau, questioned the legal authority behind the directive.

“Which law is being used to introduce these changes? The Traffic Police cannot make laws on their own,” he said. “The director must be summoned to explain where his powers come from.”

At the time of publication, the Directorate of Traffic Police had not issued a public response to the criticism