I am an 80-year-old man. I live in my own house, bothering no one and I enjoy helping others when the need arises. It may be of interest to mention that I have passed 65 years of my life with the Scout Movement educating youths to become good citizens.
On 30 December 2005, I received a writ of summons regarding a contravention, where I was accused that on 12 November 2005, at 6.15pm, I, Mr Vella, was driving through Triq it-Turisti in St Paul’s Bay without wearing my seatbelt.
On the day and at the time mentioned my vehicle, a Ford (manufactured in 1956), with the Registration Number CAM 378, was locked up in my garage. I would like to add that the last time I visited St Paul’s Bay with my car was about 12 years ago, and from some time ago I even stopped going out in my car except once a week for about a quarter of an hour so as to run the engine.
I should like to add that I have been driving since 1956, that is, for these last 52 years, and I have never had a police ticket except this once. I would also like to point out that my car was not manufactured with seatbelt attachment points. The Highway Code in pages 41-2, points out that “for some time it has been compulsory for all occupants in the front seats of cars to use seat belts if the car was manufactured with seatbelt attachment points”.
On 25 January 2006, I received a letter from the Conjunct Committee of the North, St Paul’s Bay local council, signed by Anita Grima on behalf of the secretary, saying that the ticket I had received was from the police and my petition should be sent to the Commissioner of Police.
I wrote to the Commissioner of Police on 31 January 2006 and on 3 February 2006 I received a letter acknowledging my correspondence. It was clear to my mind that, by the said acknowledgement, the Commissioner of Police had accepted my request, as in March 2006 and in March 2007, I paid my vehicle licence for CAM 378 without any problem.
In the light of all that I have just stated, from my part I considered the case closed and I requested whoever was responsible to take the necessary steps to close this case immediately.
On 30 April 2006, I wrote to the Conjunct Committee of the North and informed it about what I have just written above.
On 4 May 2006, the local council informed me that it had received my letter and told me that my correspondence had been passed on to the Petitions Board of the Department of Local Government, 26, Archbishop Street, Valletta.
On 10 May 2006, this same board informed me that my correspondence had been received and that I would be informed about the decision taken by the board. According to law the decision has to be taken within five days from when the petition is presented. After 10 months, that is, on 27 March 2007, I was informed by the Petitions Board that it was abstaining from taking any further cognition of my petition about contravention No. 903-8041-8, and that the Tribunal has been informed about this decision.
This year, I went to pay my vehicle insurance as usual but it was not accepted as I was told that the ticket in question had not been paid.
I repeat, while in the years 2006 and 2007 my licence was renewed, now, in 2008, it was withheld. Incredible!! I am still waiting for an explanation from whoever is responsible. Why should I be made to suffer because of the mistakes of others? This is a disquieting situation.
So as to be able to get this year’s vehicle licence renewed, I had to go to a lawyer who informed St Paul’s Bay local council that I would be paying the e23 / Lm10 penalty under protest. My lawyer also sent a copy of my case to the Justice Minister. The minister informed my lawyer that I would receive a letter from the Ministry notifying me about their decision regarding my claim. All this goes back to the beginning of April 2008 and I am sorry to say I have not yet received any reply after nearly three months.
Highly concerned and with a legitimate right, I expect an answer without any further delay, as I have waited enough, to the great injustice done against me, a senior citizen who has always fulfilled his social duty with integrity.
CARMELO VELLA
Mosta