By Hassan Juana Koroma in Bo
Tricycle (Kekeh) riders in Bo city have formally complained the Sierra Leone Police to the Office of National Security (ONS) in the Southern region for what they described as ‘persistent harassment’ of their members by the Police.
The riders made the complaint specifically against the Bo West Police Division, following the recent charging of 13 riders to court. The riders claimed that their colleagues are being prosecuted for their refusal to pay a Le100, 000 sum that was demanded by the Admin Officer of the Bo West Police Division, Inspector Allen Philip Cooper. This, they say, is just one of many other situations ‘Kekeh’ riders have had to deal with in the hands of the police.
A union representing the riders on Tuesday met with members of the regnal security committee, which is headed by the ONS, where they discussed their expressed concerns.
According to letter, a copy of which was obtained by Politico, possession of the proper documentation is not enough for a rider to operate freely in the city.
“Traffic police are constantly harassing us on the road even though when over 80% of our members have up-to-date license for their tricycle and insurance,” part of the letter reads.
According to riders, there are only a few cases involving newly acquired tricycles whose documentation were under processing by the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA). They say such vehicles are normally provided with cover note indicating that they are waiting for their documents. The riders say whenever they present such documents, the police would say they are not interested.
“Whenever we are arrested for minor offences by the traffic officers the members are asked to pay the sum of fifty thousand Leones for a tricycle or else we are charged to court,” the letter, signed by Amara Kamara, Chairman of the Sierra Leone Commercial Tricycle Association Bo branch, added.
‘Kekeh’ is one of the most common means of transportation in the city. Over the last five years it has been one of the major sources of youth employment across Sierra Leone, taken over from Okada (motor bikes).
Tuesday meeting also involved representatives of the Police leadership in the region, SLRSA, as well as members of the Provincial Security Committee.
Regional Traffic Coordinator South, Superintendent Sao
Vandi, denied any knowledge of extortion by police officers, accusing instead the riders of violating traffic laws.
“I am in good working relationship with the tricycle union
members; some of the union members are seriously violating the traffic
laws. And the police are discharging their duties by enforcing the
law,” Supt Vandi told the meeting.
He added: “In the area of extortion or harassment by officers, I am not aware and such complaint is not to my knowledge.
Vandi then promised to look into the concerns of the riders “with immediately effect.”
Local Unit Commander, Bo West Division, Superintendent Musa James, also denied the allegations from the riders, before reassuring that they would investigate it.
But Faiya Jusu Faiya, Road Safety Supervisor from SLRSA South, noted that they have previously convened meetings involving the Police and the riders, meant to ensure the riders are not arrested while their documents are being processed.
“We have held several meetings with the members of the Sierra Leone Police. We told them that some of the riders and drivers plying the roads when they come for payment for their documentations, we give them other documents which can show that they have paid, and [that] they are awaiting their documents. But we always get complaints that the police have arrested them even though they have shown their documents to the police.” Fayia lamented.
“We do not waste time now with documentation as systems are now in place. Within three days licenses that have been paid for are now available,” he added.
Samuel Bully, Provincial Security Coordinator, a representative of the ONS, appealed for cooperation between the riders and police for the sake of peace. He hailed the Union members for putting their complaint through the appropriate authorities.
“As security apparatus, we want to see peace reign in the region. I am therefore appealing to the LUC to amicably resolve this issue with the union,” Bully told the meeting.
The police are no strangers to accusations of corruption. And almost every corruption perception survey involving the force has ranked it at the top of the league of corrupt institutions.
The most recent survey, conducted by the Afrobarometer, confirmed this status quo. Launched earlier this month, the report show that bribery in the police is still high, at 39%, despite a reduction from previous surveys.
© 2019 Politico Online
