KEETMANSHOOP: Karas Regional Commander of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol), Commissioner Armas Shivute has called on all ministries in the region to make sure that Government vehicles are not driven without trip authorities.

The police commander told Nampa on Thursday that his forces are always on the roads to ensure that such vehicles are used for the right reasons and not for personal gain.

He stated that in most cases, Government cars are driven without trips being authorised and/or beyond the authorised areas, and after office hours without valid reasons.

Shivute said police officers will impound such vehicles and issue fines of N.dollars 1 000 that will have to be paid by the drivers from their own pockets.

“Imagine, some of them use (Government) cars to attend family funerals and transport passengers that are not listed on the trip authority,” said Shivute.

Acting Regional Traffic Coordinator, Warrant Officer Wynand Hermanus Neels explained that once a vehicle is impounded, only the highest authority in the regional ministry can call in to have the vehicle released.

Neels noted that two vehicles – one for the Ministry of Education and another for the Health Ministry – were impounded here on Saturday after the drivers were found driving beyond the authorised trip zones.

The Ministry of Education driver received a fine of N.dollars 1 000, and the Health Ministry driver was saved by an explanation from his director that he was allowed to pick up something in town before going where he was supposed to.

The Education Ministry’s vehicle was returned the same weekend.