Are motorists the worst of culprits?

Going by the concerted zeal in harassing motorists, for one to conclude that motorists maybe the worst of culprits would not be wrong. All tricks in the book are engaged against motorists. Multiple law enforcement agents feast on the motorists’ vulnerability.

Going by the concerted zeal in harassing motorists, for one to conclude that motorists maybe the worst of culprits would not be wrong. All tricks in the book are engaged against motorists. Multiple law enforcement agents feast on the motorists’ vulnerability.

The police, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) personnel, vehicle inspectors and forestry commission inspectors all take turns to harass the motorists.

Constitutional issues arise in the course of this unwarranted harassment of the motorists. For example, Section 66(2) (a) of the Constitution provides for the freedom of movement within the country. Supposing, one has to undertake an emergency trip, although he manages to get money for fuel, he cannot proceed, if he does not have the tollgate fees.

roadblock How does one justify the presence of roadblocks after almost every kilometre?

Police officers seem to have taken over vehicle inspectors’ duties. Vehicle inspections, especially those of a mechanical nature are the preserve of vehicle inspectors and not the police officers. The list is endless. ZBC as well as police officers claim to be clothed with power to impound vehicles or confiscate driver’s licences for non-compliance with the so-called regulations.

How does one justify the presence of roadblocks after almost every kilometre? What new car defects would have developed within a kilometre of the highway? As if these roadblocks are not enough, there are random roadblocks mounted by either the motorbike or B-car personnel.

The Justice and Legal Affairs minister is on record, concurring that spot fines are not compulsory. He went on to inform the nation that spot fines were introduced as an administrative tool, meant to reduce the number of minor traffic offences, as these had inundated the courts. That said, and heard, the question is, why are there no tickets allowing motorists to pay the required fine within a given period. Infact, spot fines were meant for foreigners in transit and maybe, also people of no fixed abode.

Civilised as we claim to be as a nation, there is an urgent need to stop the harassment of motorists at the hands of law enforcement agents. Is it to do with law enforcement or it has become a fund raising spree? Corrupt tendencies in the form of payment of bribes have been reported, yet it would appear there is no administrative will to remedy this corruption cancer.

Like any citizen in a civilised State that we claim to be, there is need to uphold the dignity and freedom of movement of motorists. Infact, motorists are discriminated against by being subjected to inhuman treatment on the highways.

In last week’s article entitled Lessons learnt from President Mugabe farewell address at the 26th ordinary session of the African Union issues to do with teaching children at their formative age in a language that is not of their mother were raised.

The issue is not about the pass rate or promoting an intercultural cohabitation. It is one’s Constitutional right to speak one’s chosen language, as well as living according to the dictates of one’s culture. In the same article Section 6(3)(a-b), as read with Section 63(a-b) of the Constitution were quoted and the source was inadvertently omitted — the oversight is sincerely regretted.

Surprisingly, when Binga villagers demanded that their children be taught in Tonga they got support from the-powers-that-be. Our biggest undoing in this country, lies in the tradition of imposing projects and policies on beneficiaries without consultation, which would in turn lead to buy-ins.

Citizens are customers to the State. Going by the old marketing cliché: “customer is king and is always right”, one is persuaded to conclude that anything for the customer, must be based on what the client wants.

Motorists, taxpayers, parents of school children, to name a few, have an inherent right to be treated the way they want to be treated. These rights must not be confused with law breaking. Laws are made by people for people and as such must be citizen or electorate friendly.

This article looked into challenges faced by motorists on the highway and teaching language especially at formative ages. One wonders how many more categories of the citizens suffer quietly.

We can take a leaf from our neighbours especially, South Africa where a number of projects or policies have been reversed owing to public outcry over the unfriendliness of the proposed interventions. Big dividends are realised, as a result of satisfied citizens, who enjoy a sense of belonging to their country.

Such citizens become good ambassadors of their country. They can convert the American chorus “God bless America” to God bless Zimbabwe. When the country acknowledges the presence and aspirations of its citizens, it is infact, investing in the citizens’ goodwill towards their motherland.

God bless Zimbabwe should come from free tongues not forked ones.

●Moses Tsimukeni Mahlangu writes in his own capacity and can be reached on [email protected] for comments