By  Rabecca  Chipanta –
THE Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has advised traffic police officers to desist from confiscating driving licences from motorists who have not displayed motor vehicle insurance discs.
RTSA public relations manager Mukela Mangolwa said the grace period for the display of insurance discs would elapse on February 1, 2016.
Mr Mangolwa said this in reaction to a Ndola motorist who complained that a police traffic officer confiscated his licence when there was a grace period for the display of insurance discs.
He said it was not in order for any traffic officer to confiscate licences or impound motor vehicles because the extension of insurance disc display still stood.
“We have communicated to the Zambia Police high command on this issue.  No one is supposed to grab any one’s licence and our stance on the issue still stands. People have to differentiate between an impoundable and non-impoundable offence,” he said
Mr Mangolwa further advised members of the public to ensure that their documents were in order before the February 1, deadline to avoid prosecution.
“As an agency we would like to implore members of the public to put their papers in order so that they are not caught unawares.
“People have a tendency of waiting for the last minute before putting things in order.”
Last week, a traffic police officer only identified as a Mr Malama, confiscated David Kaunda’s driving licence for failure to display his motor vehicle insurance disc.
Mr Kaunda said he was shocked that the police officer at a check point on Kwacha Road confiscated his driving licence just because of the insurance disc even when there was an extension.