Source: Motorists gang up against abusive police | The Financial Gazette July 21, 2016
ZIMBABWEAN motorists have started mobilising funds to launch a class action against the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and other State bodies they accuse of violating their constitutional rights.
Lawyers and motorists this week launched the Road Users Association (RUA), an organisation that seeks to give relief to all road users in Zimbabwe who are being abused by the police.
“It is RUA’s belief that the police are acting unconstitutionally and illegally in their harassment of motorists, their imposition of unreasonable fines, their misinterpretation of the laws, and their use of ‘legislation’ that has not been promulgated. Furthermore, the number of roadblocks, sometimes within sight of one another, is excessive and unreasonable,” the association said in a statement.
“RUA considers that the actions of the ZRP are harming the economy, undermining public respect for the police, infringing the public’s constitutional rights, discouraging tourism, and placing undue hardships on motorists. Instead of the ‘spot checks’ achieving a ‘reduction in road carnage’, their stated objective, ZRP is often compromising road safety.”
To achieve its objectives, the association has started mobilising funds for use to institute legal proceedings against the police and other bodies that violate the constitutional rights of road users as well as to conduct programmes that seek to positively influence what RUA says is “unreasonable behaviour” of the ZRP officers manning the numerous check-points throughout the country.
A Bulawayo law firm, Webb, Low and Barry, is administering the fund.
There is generally a hostile relationship between motorists and the police, with the latter being accused of literally extorting money from road users.
COMMENTS
“here is generally a hostile relationship between motorists and the police, with the latter being accused of literally extorting money from road users.”
This is no accusation, but an established fact
When did the traffic police prosecute anyone for a “Moving Offence” ?
Why are there so many Honda Fits driving around with no number plates?
I bought a little pink vits for my 2 graduate daughters for their daily run around including looking for scarce work. Being an engineer myself I ensure that the car is road worthy :lights ,tyres, brakes, hooter wipers and compliant to regulations: all licences, triangles, fire extinguisher, high viz vests. Due to harassment by the police every time they drive out my daughters would rather take a kombi. At one time my daughter was detained for 4 hours only to released with no charge after she cried and showed that she was a penniless student with nothing to pay for the extortion because there was nothing to charge her for. This is unacceptable behaviour by a corrupt police force and yes I will support any cause to reign it to order.
Firstly we do not have a police force in this country. There are thieves in uniform, who own the Hondas without number plates. Times are changing and we know who they are and they will be charged in due course.
Uniformed street kids with attitude.
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And people wonder why I will not visit Zimbabwe again !!!
Has the minister of home affairs cared to find out how much of the state resources is wasted on road blocks .Who does all polic e
functions when 90 percent of the work force is on raod blocks..How .much fuel is waisted fairing the police to countless roadblock sites.
At one roadblock just east of Chirindu, after an intensive interrogation and inspection nothing amiss could be found, so the “policeman” required the bonnet to be raised and the motor raced so he could see if the engine mounts were secure. I suppose he was desperate for a “catch” to fatten his pocket with a bribe.
YOO THE ZIM POLICE IS DISGUSTING,THERE ARE NOT EVEN FIT TO BE CALLED POLICE,THERE ARE LIKE DOMESTIC BABOONS WHO ARE DESPEREATE EVEN TO EAT ANYTHING,TORN UNIFPRMS,UNHEALTHY AND UNSKILLED
Hi,Mike
Totally agree with you as I travelled from SA into Zimbabwe , it was a nightmare off note never ever in my life being stopped as much by corrupt police force . Road blocks on the same road with no roads inter connection to the road I was on , road blocks every 20 Kim’s and off course fined at every road block for absolutely nothing at all . Even got done in Harare for going through a red robot just to find the robot was not working at all . Cop said 200 $ fine or go to court and get fined 400 $ his word against mine ., it’s a no win situation in Zimbabwe , as the corroupt police have the last say in the matter . The sooner this government falls , And replaced with a government that is not corrupt and a police force also ,
The better for Zimbabwe . Costing millions off dollars in tourism for sure .
As long as Zanu is in power and legislation has not changed, we will be having trouble with police. Zanu is changing laws like underwear to silence all.
How much longer shall we continue to be docile and hoppe for a saviour