No More Cash Payment At Roadblocks

Published: 2016 May 20 03:18:30 (51041 Views)

“ They fuel Corruption ”

Traffic police officers will soon stop collecting fines in cash at roadblocks to curb corruption, Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo has said.

He said Government was working on mechanisms to ensure fines were paid through an electronic system.

Chombo revealed that about 320 police officers were fired last year for various offences bordering on abuse of office through corrupt activities.

He said this in the Senate yesterday during a Questions without Notice Session as he also revealed plans to install satellite at all roadblocks to curb corruption.

Chombo was responding to MDC-T Senator for Matabeleland South, Sithembile Mlotshwa, who sought to know the purpose of roadblocks and what Government was doing about corruption allegations against traffic police officers.

Minister Chombo said there had been an upsurge in the importation of stolen vehicles from countries such as Mozambique, Zambia and South Africa while others were legitimately bought but smuggled into the country without paying duty.

He said police roadblocks were also meant to guard against speeding.

“Last year, we dismissed 320 police officers for stealing and abusing their offices at roadblocks and other offices. So the police is keen to clean up those police officers who are contravening the laws that they are supposed to uphold.”

Chombo said the issue of spot fines at roadblocks was of concern to Government and mechanisms were in place to stop the rot.

He said people were concerned that some of the money collected at roadblocks was not sent to Treasury as provided for in the law.

“I want to inform this august House that there is a paper circulating in Government whereby roadblocks will be manned by satellite so that from an office in Harare you can see what is happening at a roadblock in Tsholotsho and you can pay using methods such plastic money or mobile transfers.

“There will not be any cash that will be exchanged. Therefore we will be reducing the temptation for police officers to be corrupt. So I am really on your side. The issues you raise are legitimate. Just give us a couple of weeks, it will be a thing of the past,” said Minister Chombo.

Zanu-PF Senator for Manicaland Shadreck Chipanga said there was a recent court judgment that spot fines were illegal.

To that end, he asked Minister Chombo to confirm whether it was now Government policy to defy court judgments by allowing police officers to demand spot fines.

Minister Chombo said he was not aware of the judgment adding that he would check.

He said in the event that there was such a judgment, the police should comply since they were expected to protect the law.

- Herald

Tags: Chombo, corruption, ZRP, police, ,

You might also want to read this

Comments

Anonymous user 2016 May 23 17:06:09

The fines that are being given for biscuit Tyres , wrong triangles etc is plain stealing of the publics money. Country broke so the rest must suffer financially. Specifically widows and pensioners. About time that country came right.

Anonymous user 2016 May 21 09:21:05

When are the pole-ice going to change the attitude of town drivers. Up and down our mainroad vehicle's go at any speed the driver thinks is smart, giveway sign means nothing, taxis at the lower end of town park 3abrest. This is just a few of what is going on. Also taxies (some) belong to police.

Anonymous user 2016 May 21 08:10:16

Hapana Hapana apa. Corruption hakuna kwainoenda ba.

Anonymous user 2016 May 20 20:53:50

Really omg the harrasement from zrp is too much Ko target for the day!!

Anonymous user 2016 May 20 18:34:06

Nothing is truly anonymous lol

Anonymous user 2016 May 20 16:54:56

It's all talk, nothing will stop corruption in Zimbabwe, the whole system is corrupt, from bob himself so let's stop lying to each other

Anonymous user 2016 May 20 16:36:12

You will be told that the machine is not working or the satellite has been stolen by one of our friends.

Anonymous user 2016 May 20 16:20:22

Yeah...I'll believe it when I see it. ZRP are a law unto themselves. Ignatius, you are a naive fellow...!

Anonymous user 2016 May 20 14:20:17

It will mean nothing as the ZRP will still accept $5 in their pocket insted of pay lets say $20. And us the public will continue to do this as we dont want to pay $20. Get real everybody!!

Anonymous user 2016 May 20 13:27:25

long overdue

Anonymous user 2016 May 20 12:09:58

Sorry,topic was meant to be "No more bribes at roadblocks" This corruption must stop,from the ministers down to the police, we sick and tired of this crap government, who h is crass ,corrupted and murderous.

Anonymous user 2016 May 20 12:05:00

Yesterday driving to Byo from Harare there must have been about 20 police road blocks. Far too many. If this cashless road block fine system happens it will be step in the right direction. Toll roads next so ministers can't pay Zanu PF expenses with Zinara cadh

Anonymous user 2016 May 20 11:36:30

I hope this is true...I don't want to be continually harassed on the road

Anonymous user 2016 May 20 09:32:32

It may be of magnitude if it really take off the ground

No More Cash Payment At Roadblocks

You might also want to read this

You May Like These Videos

Comments

Get Zim Metro Updates Alerts

Big Reads