Africa-Press – Namibia. • FLORIS STEENKAMP
AN investigation has been launched by the Roads Authority into a recent incident at Natis Grootfontein in which a test official allegedly crashed a high-priced Harley Davidson motorcycle of a member of the public during a roadworthy test drive.
The motorcycle was said to be extensively damaged on 27 January.
Its owner local businessman Jaco van Dyk says he has instructed his lawyer to sue the Namibia Traffic Information System (NaTis) for damages once the damage to the vehicle has been determined.
The test official reportedly crashed the motorbike into the trailer of a stationary truck.
“This is a general complaint countrywide. Natis test officials are abusing members of the public’s vehicles when test driving it. The excuse is they have to test the vehicles to extreme limits,” Van Dyk says.
He says he is not suing to make money from the incident, but believes it is high time that test officials, like any other public official, are held accountable for behaving irresponsibly.
The incident happened on Grootfontein’s Maroela Avenue near the town’s Natis office, he says.
Van Dyk is questioning why the official had to remove the bike from Natis’ premises, instead of using its test terrain.
The test official was allegedly not injured in the crash, and has a valid motorcycle driving licence.
Roads Authority (RA) of Namibia spokesperson Constance Mwilima last week confirmed the incident, saying it is under investigation.
“Yes, there are isolated incidences reported and staff members who are found guilty of such conducts are dealt with accordingly. Such behaviour is not standard practice and staff are always reminded to refrain from such behaviour,” she said
Mwilima said the RA also wished to urge the public to report any concerns regarding reckless behaviour or unprofessional conduct by examiners, should they observe such.
“The RA wishes to assure the public that it has a zero tolerance on reckless behaviour by staff members. However, we also wish to clarify that during the testing of roadworthiness, some manoeuvres may be deemed necessary in testing the vehicle’s capabilities in performing certain functions,” she added.
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