The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has defended its decision to require motorists issued with instant traffic fines to make payments at KCB Bank branches instead of through the eCitizen platform, saying the move is aimed at reducing fraud.
Speaking during an interview, NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa stated that the authority opted against using eCitizen because fraudsters could exploit motorists by sending fake payment links, particularly through SMS.
According to Kondiwa, requiring payments to be made physically at KCB branches introduces an additional layer of verification, allowing motorists to confirm that the payment reference number matches the one in the bank’s system before completing the transaction.
NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa. Photo: Courtesy.
He said the decision was informed by previous cases in which fraudsters sent deceptive messages claiming to facilitate instant traffic fine payments, prompting the authority to adopt a more secure payment process.
The explanation comes weeks after NTSA rolled out a new digital enforcement framework for minor traffic offences on June 1.
Under the system, motorists who commit certain minor traffic offences are no longer required to appear in court immediately.
Instead, they may receive a Police Notification of Traffic Offence, giving them the option of paying a prescribed fine within a specified period or contesting the offence in court.
According to NTSA, offences may be detected either by police officers during routine enforcement or electronically through traffic cameras and other digital monitoring systems.
Once sufficient evidence is obtained, notifications are issued to the driver or the registered owner of the vehicle.
The authority added that the notices may be delivered in person by police officers, affixed to the vehicle, or sent electronically via SMS or email.
