TRAFFIC congestion in the central business district of Harare is actually being worsened by the traffic police who seem not to know how to direct vehicles using hand signals.
I had such an encounter on Wednesday morning this week as I was driving down Cripps Road when I arrived at the junction with Remembrance Drive only to be stopped by a cop who emerged from nowhere accusing me of having failed to comply with a lawful order to stop.
Frankly speaking, I did not see the policeman in my direction as he was standing on the other side of the road when he came dashing to my car.
He ordered a female colleague who stood on the side walk to jump into my car and drive to Mbare Police Station.
I drove quietly, in great anger, because I was fully aware that this youthful and overzealous policeman was just excitable over something he was not experienced in doing.
I have lived in Harare since 1980 when I returned from a neigbouring country where I was raised, and Zimbabwe had a marvellous traffic police unit comprised of seasoned officers who could direct traffic in the most confident and authoritative way.
These officers wore white sleeves and white gloves and stood at the centre of an intersection, commanding motorists using their hands as stipulated by the Highway Code.
These policemen, who I will refer to as old timers in my article, were stern but also very polite and courteous.
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As I turned into Mbare Police Camp which is adjacent to Mbare Magistrates’ Courts, my heart started thumping harder. I could feel the heart hitting its wall cavity like a hammer.
I parked my car as instructed by the policewoman who then ordered me to remove any valuables in the car because they had impounded it.
When I asked her exactly what crime I had committed she just said “I was just told to drive you here so that you pay your fine.”
When I told her that I only had $2 in my purse she blatantly told me to go and look for that cash before I could get my car.
I walked into the charge office, got booked and the car keys were confiscated.
The bag I was carrying was heavy, as it had a laptop, a few files and some sweet potatoes I had bought along the way.
I felt so insulted and my heart was now beating like a drum. My heart beat so fast that I felt as though I would collapse as I walked towards the gate.
I asked some policemen on the way, where I could find a mobile money transfer point so that I could get money.
They directed me to a tent at Mbare Magistrates’ Courts where such transactions take place.
Very strategic indeed especially for those that may be convicted to paying fines after a court hearing.
I managed to get $20 and walked back.
My heart was still thumping with anger when I remembered that I had contacts in the police force who could explain to me what this was all about.
I called the police spokesperson who referred me to the commanding officer of Harare District who in turn referred me to the officer in charge of Mbare Traffic Police section.
I explained the circumstances that led to my being brought to that station and expressed my greatest dissatisfaction about the manner in which traffic was being controlled by this particular youthful cop at the intersection.
Their traffic signals are so confusing and they are a far cry from the ones that we were accustomed to 20 years ago.
The police officers today conducting these traffic hand signals don’t look confident and actually create more congestion because they confuse motorists with the haphazard manner they direct cars.
Sometimes you may think they are waving at you, yet they will be signalling you to proceed.
So you can understand the fury that I had when I was “arrested” over a hand signal I did not see because the policeman was not present when I tried proceeding to work.
He charged towards my direction and immediately stopped before I had gone through. I was still within centimetres from the stop point.
He did not ask me any questions but instead ordered some woman police officer to take me to the traffic police station at Mbare.
This is what I describe as a “trigger-happy” or “overzealous” policeman who because he is commissioned by the Head of State to perform his duties, thinks he can abuse motorists in every manner that suits his mood.
It is true that traffic volumes have increased over the past few years and control can be a real challenge but I also feel that the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) should be more proactive and train some of these police details simple, polite communication with motorists.
Wearing a police uniform and standing out there is not a passport to harangue the motoring public at will.
Peak hours should command more police details at such junctions because there are many other road users like scotch carts and kombi drivers that dart through these intersections disregarding other road users.
I personally felt very intimidated by this youthful cop, but because I am a law-abiding citizen, I obeyed and did exactly what he wanted me to do.
I, however, want to thank the Officer In charge of Mbare Traffic Police section who attended to my query and let me go.
There were other police officers who made comments in hushed tones, agreeing with me that these youthful officers were using wrong hand signals that confuse experienced drivers.
The ZRP should consider taking volunteers from its retired members to handle these intersections because I personally feel that there is more chaos at intersections whenever these young cops are in charge.
My gratitude goes to police spokesperson Charity Charamba who quickly responded to my call and acted accordingly, and to the officer in charge of Mbare Traffic Police section. These people soothed my hurt emotions. I salute them.
I still believe that Zimbabwe has a reputable police force but there are a few bad apples that may just rot the entire force.
I suggest there be retraining in that area or even transfer of rogue elements to the Zambezi Valley.
