Africa-Press – Cape verde. The National Police clarified this Monday that the vehicles known as “clan” (unlicensed taxis) were seized due to irregularities, and that the final decision will depend on the circumstances and severity of the infraction.
The National Police issued a statement following a peaceful demonstration held this Monday morning in Praia by a group of vehicle owners contesting the seizure of their vehicles, alleging abuse of power by the authorities and a lack of clarification regarding the ongoing processes.
These are drivers and vehicle owners who were inspected by the police and found to be in various irregularities, such as illegally transporting passengers and having outstanding fines resulting from recurring traffic violations.
They revealed that among the vehicles impounded, some have more than ten outstanding fines, others around thirty, and even one vehicle with 44 unpaid fines.
“This is why vehicles are being ticketed and some seized, and the respective infraction proceedings are underway. Drivers and owners have been notified in writing of the reasons for the ticketing and may, within 20 days, file a complaint, indicate witnesses, or present any evidence they deem appropriate,” the statement said.
The same source explained that the final decision in the process will only be made after the conclusion of this phase, and any administrative decision is subject to judicial appeal.
The National Police emphasized that the final decision will depend on the circumstances of the infraction, its severity, the driver’s culpability, and the existence of other prior infractions (such as recidivism), and may lead to the application of the maximum fine, driving disqualification, seizure of the driver’s license, and permanent seizure of the vehicle.
In the statement, the National Police also reminded that it conducts road traffic enforcement and vehicle and motorcycle circulation control actions.
“These actions focus on verifying vehicle identification numbers (chassis numbers) and verifying the conformity of mandatory documents, such as car insurance, road tax, technical inspection, vehicle registration certificate and ownership registration, and in the case of passenger transport vehicles, the inspection also focuses on the public transport license and permit,” he added.
The National Police reinforced that irregularities detected in any of the aforementioned documents may result in fines, vehicle seizure, as appropriate, and that public passenger transport without the respective license and permit always results in fines and may lead to vehicle seizure.
“It is important to emphasize that the reasons that may determine the application of a fine or the seizure of a vehicle are varied and that only the analysis of the process, that is, on a case-by-case basis, can clarify specifically,” he concluded.
For More News And Analysis About Cape verde Follow Africa-Press
