PLANS to curb corruption within the Zimbabwe Republic Police traffic section are underway with a system being developed to ensure people charged for road offences pay electronically.
BY VENERANDA LANGA
This was said by Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa while addressing Senate last week during debate on the Finance Bill to do with the 2016 National Budget.
Chinamasa was responding to concerns by Bulawayo Metropolitan Senator Tholakele Khumalo over corruption at roadblocks.
Khumalo had claimed police who collected spot fines usually have two receipt books — one for themselves and the other, a bona-fide one.
“We are exploring how we can collect these fines electronically,” Chinamasa told Senate.
“I am aware that a project is being developed on a joint venture basis. It has not yet come to Cabinet, but it is intended that as people pay fines wherever the police roadblock is, the police will have an electronic device so that as fines are paid, we will know the real time it was paid, what has been paid, and thus should be able to account for it.”
He said if Cabinet approved the initiative, it would go a long way in addressing public concerns with respect to corruption among police officers at roadblocks.
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The announcement by Chinamasa comes at a time after he increased traffic fines with effect from January 1, 2016.
Chinamasa announced in the 2016 National Budget an increase in traffic spot fines, where offences for proceeding against a red traffic light, overtaking over a solid white line, driving without a licence and foot brakes not working, would attract a fine of $100 up from $20.
Home Affairs secretary Melusi Matshiya expressed concern that if there was no proper electronic system to monitor how the fines were collected, it would fuel corruption.
“If you raise traffic fines up to $100, it raises serious concerns because if you leave it to the police officer on the ground, it can be manipulated. There is need for consultation on the issue with secretaries of respective departments before its implementation,” Matshiya told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services when he appeared before it early this month.
Matshiya also told the committee that if funding was availed for the electronic monitoring system, it would go a long way in combating malpractices at roadblocks.
Chinamasa informed senators that he had ordered all revenue collection institutions, which are allowed retention, to open accounts with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe by the end of January next year.
“This is to enhance our capacity to monitor what takes place with respect to these funds. If there is misbehaviour or any malpractices that are going on, we should be able to stamp them very early,” he said.
