Automated spot fine system launched

SEKHONYANA THEKO

MASERU – A new automated spot fine system for traffic offences was launched in Maseru on Monday.

The initiative is a joint effort of telecommunications company Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL), the Road Fund, the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) and ENGIDATA, a local IT company and will traffic offenders paying their fines through the ETL mobile money facility.

Traffic spot fines range from M30 to M80 and were previously paid within seven days using manual systems at the Lesotho revenue Authority (LRA), but the new system will allow for offenders to pay at the scene of the offence – dialing *130*773# and then the number of the spot fine.

The new system is being touted by the police as bearing potential to cut down on the number of traffic offenders who default on paying fines for traffic offences.

Speaking at the launch ETL CEO, Dennis Plaatjies, announced the e-spot fine payments as the fastest method ever to pay spot fines.

“e-spot fine payment is the fastest method of payment you can pay spot fines using a mobile phone, subsequently you can tell a police officer that you have paid showing proof of payment even if you’re a foreigner from South Africa or another country. You can simply go to a nearby eco-cash agent and make a payment and, I can guarantee that this mode of payment is safe,” Plaatjies added, earnestly inviting drivers to begin purchasing his company’s sim cards to register.

In his remarks, LMPS Commissioner, Holomo Molibeli, passed a vote of thanks to ETL “for the great work you have done.”  He said this partnership was prolific and headed for great height.

He further observed, with enthusiasm, that the project has taken flight supported solely by local businesses without any help foreign help.