Motorists in the Kunene Region have heaved a sigh of relief following the extension of the traffic fine amnesty.

 For many taxi drivers, however, the burden goes beyond access, as the cost of settling outstanding fines remains difficult to manage, particularly for those who operate vehicles they do not own and rely on for daily income to survive.

The extension offers relief to drivers struggling to settle fines.

Daniel Mbalundu, a taxi driver in Opuwo, welcomes the extension, saying the additional time will help motorists who struggle to settle fines due to unstable incomes.

Ndija Katambo, another taxi driver in Opuwo, also welcomed the extension and appealed to the government to allow motorists to pay their fines in instalments. 

Drivers are now calling on the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Police to consider introducing flexible payment options, including instalments, to ease the financial pressure.

The Kunene Regional Traffic Coordinator is Festus Shinana.

"To all road users in the Kunene, this extension is your opportunity to use it. Maybe let me say this is the opportunity to be used now by the motorists who are having outstanding fines and outstanding warrants of arrest without payment."

The police in the Kunene Region are urging motorists to make full use of the opportunity; once the period expires, those that are in default will be dealt with in accordance with the law.