Is the military justified in “disciplining” recalcitrant drivers?
July 10, 2008
Some recalcitrant commercial drivers over the week were subjected to dehumanizing roles at the 37 military morgue.
The military guards arrested the drivers and their mates for allegedly committing motor traffic offences and sent them to the morgue at 37 where they were made to undergo some disciplinary measures.
These commercial drivers described as recalcitrant by the military guards were made to mop the floor; carry and romance (fondle) the breast of some female corpses at the morgue, virtually assuming the role of a ‘mortuary’ attendant.
This was done to teach the drivers for infringing motor traffic regulation lessons in what their careless driving have been causing in the area.
This form of discipline is believed to have been going on for the past few weeks when drivers who stop at unauthorized location in front of the hospital are made to go through.
Some concern has been raised when the Super Morning Show host, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah spoke to some of the victims.
Some human rights activist have indicated that this form of punishment served on the drivers cannot be justified especially under democratic dispensation.
It was argued whether this was a reflection of indiscipline within the armed Forces, and says military persons who were involved in this conduct must be sanctioned.
The hospital and the military authorities have come out to condemn the act as well and have promised to conduct an investigation into this matter.
But the question is, has the level of indiscipline on our roads risen so high that only drastic measures as this would best curb the situation?
As much as some of us think that these military guards action is justified, others also think that these unfortunate drivers experienced the worst nightmare of their lives and were treated inhumanely.
What do you also think?
Are the military justified in “disciplining” recalcitrant drivers or what measures do you think should be put in place to ensure discipline on our roads?
Post your comments here…………………
Comments
9 Responses to “Is the military justified in “disciplining” recalcitrant drivers?”
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The military has no right to send this poor driver`s to the mog to work. If they have commited any offence they should send them to the Police for persecution at the Law court, what they ` the military` did is dehuman.
Drivers and their mates are so disrespectful and arrogant, the military is very justified from now onwards no trotro or taxi driver will dare to park at the entrance of the hospital
I’m not sure the military in general have powers to arrest and detain civilians (Military Policemen aside). So the detention of these drivers is possibly illegal.
Furthermore, the punishment meted to these drivers far outweighs the crime. It is true that the way some commercial drivers stop at junctions causes a lot of traffic. But punishing them this way makes us inhumane as well. Something else can be done.
i for one will fully support the military for their actions. its about time we endorsed some of these things plus whipping (as occurs in some neighbouring countries) to deter indiscipline on or roads.
Furthermore, the punishment meted to these drivers far outweighs the crime. It is true that the way some commercial drivers stop at junctions causes a lot of traffic…….In reference to the above, what is more outweighs the death of innocent passengers who get killed by these dirvers daily. They will insult you if you dare allert them of their recklessness. I do not endorse the mode of punishment the military used but I think they should be asked to explain why they did that. They should be punished but I think the dirvers also should be charged accordingly. And what is wrong with taking drivers to see the faces of the people they kill. Their stopping on wrong places do not only cause traffic jam but accidents killing scores and scores of people. The military is wrong, the drivers are wrong.
Kojo,
I fully throw my weight behind the actions taken by the military to punish those road misfits.They even deserved more than that kojo.My sister got knocked down just a day before the 2008 BECE.She was a candidate actually.As a result of the carelessness by a Taxi driver on the Kanda highway,she has sacrificed a year of her education to the hospital.Come to think of it Kojo,that driver absconded just after the incident.I will forever curse all drivers who offend road traffic regulations.KUDOS TO THE MILITARY.WE NEED MORE OF THAT.
Bashiru
i really throw my weight behind the military offices for ensuring that the right thing is done appropriately. be’cos Kojo Police officers are conniving with offending drivers in killing innocent citizens
Why on earth is the npp so busy begging Ghanians to vote them out of power?
In an election year ,2presidential jets, extravagant expenses in the name of national awards huge pediem on unnecessary foreing travels and now the gt sale.GOOD RIDE TO OPPOSITION
i believe the military spoke in a language that the drivers understood.it is often said that if persuasion fails,force must be applied.