THE City Police have decided to wait a week before arresting Windhoek motorists with outstanding traffic fines.

The City Police were instructed by the Ministry of Justice to extend the deadline to February 14.

The announcement was made yesterday by Superintendent Helena Mootseng, the spokesperson of the City Police.

She said they decided to extend the grace period because of a public outcry and to give a chance to those who are out of town to get back and pay their fines.

According to Mootseng, there are about 42 000 warrants of arrest outstanding and so far only 8 000 have paid their fines.

Motorists with outstanding fines who do not pay by next week are guaranteed arrest, she emphasised.

"So people should make use of this period to pay. There will be no other extension after this one."

Earlier, it was reported that there are more private cars than taxis on the wrong side of the law in Windhoek.