This weekend, the Constitutional Parliamentary Outreach Committee (COPAC) held consultative meetings in Harare and Chitungwiza, after the first attempt to hold these meetings was met with violence and intimidation. But this second attempt again resulted in violence, with one participant hospitalised. Read the Crisis in Zimbabwe statement about the weekend’s outreach meetings below:

Participant attacked, seriously wounded as police detain MDC employee

A participant at a meeting held at St John’s retreat, Joshua Manyere (32) was beaten up and seriously wounded by suspected ZANU PF supporters. He is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.

Details obtained from an observer stationed at the venue are that during the meeting, suspected ZANU PF supporters threatened Manyere with unspecified action after his contributions were regarded as inconsistent with the views held by the ZANU PF supporters. After the meeting, it is alleged that Manyere was attacked by a group of suspected ZANU PF supporters and seriously injured during the commotion. The Coalition is still awaiting more details on the incident.

Meanwhile, Ms. Diana Nyikadzino, an employee of the Movement for Democratic Change is currently being detained at Waterfalls Police station for reasons still to be established after her apprehension at Hopley Clinic, Harare South.

Details from other meetings monitored are as below;

Tadzikamidzi School, Chitungwiza

The meeting, which was initially marred by intimidation, went ahead well after COPAC intervened although there were isolated cases of intimidation.

Zororo Center, Highfields

• There was high security with approximately 20 police officers
• The meeting started around 1100hrs and was attended by approximately 300 people
• The meeting was temporarily disrupted following contributions by one participant who suggested that war veterans should not hold the nation at ransom because of their contribution to the country’s liberation. The contribution sparked outrage among some participants believed to be war veterans who threatened to take unspecified action against the participant after the meeting. The war veterans accused the participant of disrupting the meeting leading to his apprehension by the police. He was however released following complaints by other participants who told the police that the ejected participant had done nothing to warrant such treatment. Despite attempts to disturb proceedings, the meeting went ahead.

Kuwadzana, Crowborough Creche

• The meeting was attended by close to 300 people
• Police remained passive during disturbances by some participants who accused one respondent of attempting to disrupt the meeting. COPAC however managed to contain the situation and the meeting went ahead.

The Women in Politics Support Unit (WiPSU) also sent us this open letter to the editor of The Standard, objecting to their recent article DPM Khupe dispels pregnancy rumours.

I agree entirely that The Standard needs to be challenged on their journalistic priorities on this article. Who decdied that an article that leads like this was newsworthy:

Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe is reported to be expecting her fourth child, though she denied the reports saying she was not in a position to have a baby. Khupe has been spotted with a hugely visible bulge, prompting speculation that she is pregnant.

But is some of this critique also stemming from a loyalty to or softness for Khupe in particular? Where are the similar critiques of the sensationalistic journalism and misogynistic stereotyping that has characterised, for example, recent rumours of an affair between Grace Mugabe and Gideon Gono?

Read the letter to the editor below:

Dear Editor in Chief

Zimbabwe is a signatory to the AU and Un instruments that speak gender equality and more recently the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. This protocol urges member states to take measures to discourage the media from reinforcing gender oppression and stereotypes as well as degrading or exploiting women especially in areas of entertainment and advertising and undermining their role and position in society. It is our belief that media houses, especially those that claim to be independent and progressive, like the Standard, reflect these values and principles in their publications and conduct.

We at Women in Politics Support Unit are angered at the blatant undermining and sexualization of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe Honorable Thokozani Khupe that was exhibited by the Standard newspaper. The article that was given front page prominence in the Standard newspaper of 24 to 30 October 2010 was sexist and demeaning to the public stature of a whole Deputy Prime Minister.

It is with great concern that we question the role of media in reinforcing stereotypes that continue to be used to oppress women. The reproductive role of a man no matter his political prominence has never been front page news. Yet we see the pregnancy or lack thereof of the Deputy Prime Minister being topical at a time when she is doing great work for and on behalf of the women of Zimbabwe in her portfolio as Deputy Prime Minister of this country, UN Ambassador on the Global Aids Network and as a member of her political party. She has a recently entered into dialogue with urban councils to reduce the maternity fee that women were being charged. Is that not newsworthy?

This also concerns us as it is a reflection of the mindset of the reporters and editors of the Standard who view a prominent politician as a sexual being instead of according her the respect she deserves as a national representative.

This is contrary to the principles of the SADC Protocol and shows that the only “leading” the Standard is doing is in perpetrating the gender stereotypes that are used to discriminate against women, and in this case, women in public office specifically.  This was further demonstrated by your failure to meet with our staff to discuss our concerns about this article, even after an appointment had been set and confirmed. It is this lack of respect for the opinions, time and work of women that manifested itself and continues to do so in gender biased reporting and coverage.

It is our sincere hope that an apology to the Deputy prime Minister will be given the same prominence that your demeaning article was given. Failure to do so will encourage us to begin to mobilize the women of Zimbabwe and in the region against your publication.

As the Constitution outreach process draws to a close, and talk of 2011 elections is already beginning, we received this disturbing report from Women in Politics Support Unit (WiPSU) about political violence in Rushinga:

It is with great sorrow and concern that we have been informed that 17 women political activist were beaten in what is alleged to be politically motivated violence in Rushinga this week. 3 of these women were also allegedly raped. The 17 women were bought into Harare yesterday Tuesday 26 October 2010 for medical care as they have suffered various injuries including broken ribs and limbs. We call on political parties to discourage their members from subjecting women politicians to violence. This is a clear example of how the militarization of politics affects the participation of women as political actors.

The feedback on Munya’s “compensation for depression” continues to pour in. Here are some more comments from our subscribers:

• Mugabe is a disgrace + proves he is Senile. The money cld feed starving children,  not given 2 a LOSER like Munya.
• Kutambisa mari pane zvakawanda zvirikuda mari muzvipatara hazvisati zvaita.
• It’s good to keep our banner raised.
• Munya’s compensation 4 losing is very very unreasonable.
• Does it mean to say that Munya will pocket the whole cash just like that?
• Its more to do with his back ground.  The mother is in government and the father is a well established business man.  Im sure its a way of honouring the family.
• On my opinion that was excelent
• solidarity with munya not bad…may be extent yacho is the one to debate
• HOW COULD WE EXPECT  MUNYA TO WIN I PERSONALLY FEEL IF EACH TEACHER WAS GIVEN USD IO THA THANK YOU FOR IGOT CHICKEN TO CHANGE VIDEO BYE C G MUTAWU
• Zvakanaka bcoz BBA management was not fair on final results.
• wicked and imorality at its climax may god bless the poor, the sick, the homeless and the hungry
• He deserved mo coz dat waznt fair at all.at least BBA hz smthing 2 learn, & did u knw zimbabweans ar natural born ‘winners’ at global scale?
• Its of no use splashing cash on individual yet the nation is suffering
• They are wasting on compansating Munya, instead of donating to poor people, ophans and even civ cervants
• He deserve the price.let the organisers know that we are suprised by giving our loser a token of appreciation that is more than e winner.
• Where is that money coming from? Civil servants are not paid well.yu dont need to work to get money but to play with thozn power
• Thats nonsensical the loss is not compensatory. furthermore u can not claim that he was duped wen countries did not vote for him. do zanu pf wants to hold another big brother africa!
• It could be that he is connected to the good samaritens in some way.
• Munya was not supposed to be given that money ..why .they are failures .how can they give Munya 300  000US$ while the country need money. We need money to pay civil servants.
• As brothers there is nothing wrong. He should not compensate him because if he face problem his brother will help him as well.
• That is the problem with an outdated regime, with very high misplaced priorities.If those people who raised the funds could raise fundraise for only one turbine for our KARIBA ELECTRICITY generation.To me it is stupid, myopic and cheap politicking.
• its a game always there is a winner & loser .we cannot compensate him for a depresion but maybe for  representing us  well did not get lost in his humility
• Munya was a pawn in Mugabe and ZANU PF publicity stunts. They can sink so low to grab any publicity stunt especially after being rebuffed by heroic Mabhena.
• ZVAVO ZVEKUPENGA IZVO.KUTADZA KUSHANDISA MARI YACHO, KANA PAYER MABILLS EMAGETSI. KUNGODA KUCHIPISANA BEDZI ISUTINA KANAMARI YEKU PAYER COACH WENATINAL TEAM
• Its a total shame! The US$300000 should have been donated to critical institutions such as the children homes.
• If there is anything that I have been shocked by in my life is that of Munya. How can a loser be celebrated like that? I think Munya was supposed to be given a depression welcome.
• He must be a relative of a minister or a zanu boy. How many times have they failed to pay our national squad after a win. Shame on them.
• Big Brother sucks, Munya is a rock. Zim must boycott next year’s BBA coz it’s full of beans.
• That’s wasting vanhu vachifa mumamisha nezvirwere pasina mishonga

Following Natasha’s blog about Munya, the Big Brother candidate who got more money from Phillip Chiyangwa for losing the competition than he would have gotten from the show had he won, we wanted to hear what other people thought about this.

We sent out this text message yesterday:

Kubatana! Munya from Big Brother gets US$300 000 for losing. Text us your opinion on him getting “compensation for depression.” www.kubatana.net

So far, we’ve gotten a number of responses, with opinion split among those who think Munya’s $300,000 reward was deserved, and those opposed to it. We share some of these responses below:

• Munya was not supposed to be given that money. Why? They are failures. How can they give Munya $300,000 while the country needs money?
• These are the end of days according to the bible. Saturn is creating new ways to grab people. Don’t be surprised!
• It’s amazing, I think that huge amount should have been given to teachers or orphans.
• Is it the same Munya who kissed and romanced another man in a movie. If a man can kiss another man and walk away $300,000 richer, those anti-gays must
• withdraw their words.
• He is a blood diamond friend somehow
• He has just put the country on the map of Africa but people must accept that he wasn’t robbed, he deserves what he gets. Let them avoid politicking.
• It’s good becuse he is patriotic to his nation.
• Something is amiss. Someone would want to use him to gain some milage politically or otherwise directly or indirectly sooner or later.
• CRAZY
• GOOD FOR HIM
• That is zimbabwe when others who do not appear on tv cannot afford to pay school fees and a not well connected to get 200 dollars.
• I thought he was to win this time. Its worth his effort. Lucky guy
• We Zimbabweans are crazy
• That’s good
• THERE IS MONEY IN THIS COUNTRY AFTERALL CIVIL SERVANTS ARE JUST UNFORTUNATE
• Thats madness of highest propotion wtout priorities v avis social deprivion of masses ie HIV/aids
• Thats was a very good move.may God bless all who contributed.
• I think he deserves every cent. He went thru hell in that hse and still pulled thru 2 the last day
• suffering to continue until further notice
• A waste of resouces
• $5.2 each civil servant could have been better.Where did the monie come from?What did Zim benefit from this BB which is seen by the rich while the poor are forced 2 watch heroes Zbc.
• being given award is not a matter of winning or lossing, but encouranging and supporting
• SURPRISINGLY TRS ARE IN NEED OF A GENUINE PKG BT NOT GETIN ONE FROM E SM MERCIFUL FATHA!
• THERE IS NOTHING WRONG ON MUNYA GETTING THAT MONEY BT ITS ONLY THAT SOME PEOPLE RE TRYING 2 MIX ENTERTAIMENT WITH THEIR POLITICAL AGENDAS!
• Whats the point of giving Munya that amount after losing what about donating 2 Chinyaradzo or Mashambanzou
• My opinion states wastage in their reserves whats their next option.
• I think it is good because it reduces stress
• Abuse of funds
• This is nt a surprise they always did tht instead of giving teachers money they æ busy wasting it.who is Munya and his big brother africa?to hell
• He deserves it he made zim  proud  coz he faced 2 many evictions in the prosses of the competition
• It’s unheard of – you are left wondering what’s gone wrong with our priorities as to reward failure
• If you watched big brother you would understand that the Nigerians cheated us and you would be investigating that. myself   aand everyone i know is standing by Munya and we are not even  Zanu PF people! Unless you are black and watched BB u wont inderstand
• ko icampaign time
• These former political heavy weights are clu tching on anythi ng which can give them mileage
• WHAT A SHAME ITS LIFE LET IT BE SO
• MA ONE PANYAYA YAKE
• Am certain we have better priorities in the country presently…that same amount would have transformed the pathetic,inhumane conditions of Zimbabwe’s prisoners, or even secured ARVs for the infected or better still served as a 13th cheque for civil servants…..GoZ (2010) defines priorities as anything that gets it onto the limelight for all the wrong reasons!!!

Following the publication of a Satutory Instrument which introduces new requirements for vehicles on Zimbabwe’s road, we published the below and asked our subscribers for feedback.

Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment And Use) Regulations Act. Statutory Instrument (S.I. 154 Of 2010)

Effective 1st December 2010 new minimum requirements for all motor vehicles have been promulgated, as follows: -

Special visual warning device: all motor vehicles (Breakdown triangles)

52. (1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a road unless two warning devices complying with the requirements of this section are carried in that vehicle:

Provided that, if the motor vehicle is drawing one or more trailers, two additional warning devices shall be carried in respect of each such trailer.

(The regulation then describes the type of reflective triangles required, their specifications, storage and their positioning on the road in the event of a breakdown.)

Spare wheel, tools and fire extinguisher: all vehicles

53. (1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle, other than a motor cycle, on any road unless the vehicle is equipped with -

(a) A serviceable spare wheel; and
(b) An efficient jack; and
(c) A wheel-brace or wheel-spanner capable of undoing the vehicle’s wheel-nuts; and
(d) In the case of a light motor vehicle, a serviceable fire extinguisher of a size commercially known as zero comma seven five kilograms

(The rest of Section 53 describes similar requirements for heavy vehicles and the Standards Association requirements of the fire extinguishers.)

Kubatana’s pause for thought:

a) Road safety in Zimbabwe needs a broader solution. For example, street lighting, potholes, signage, and traffic lights need to be fixed. The police force needs to be out on the roads monitoring and fining poor driving. Unroadworthy vehicles need to be made safer. Perhaps revenue from diamond sales and tollgates could actually benefit and enhance the lives of Zimbabwean citizens through improving the general safety of the roads.

b) The Government make up a large number of vehicles on Zimbabwean roads in the form of public service vehicles like ambulances, prison vehicles, police cars, municipal vehicles, and army trucks. Will these vehicles adhere to the regulations that the general public is required to? Silly question right?

c) How many vehicles are on the road in Zimbabwe? Can the manufacturing industry supply the items that every car is required to have by 1 December 2010? Clearly not – so what do people do when the police fine them for not having these items?

d) Wording like “efficient” and “serviceable” are subjective. At a police roadblock how will the “efficiency” of a jack be determined?

e) The Zimbabwean authorities are surely aware that the majority of citizens in Zimbabwe are either unemployed or underpaid and whilst vehicles need to be roadworthy and our roads need to become safer, many members of the public do not have the spare cash to purchase items like fire extinguishers.

f) One has to wonder whether this is just another way for the Government to acquire funds from the public – is it really their business if you have a spare wheel in your car?

Here is some of the feedback we received. What do you think? Leave your comment on this issue below.

Hey guys, this is the statutory instrument which is going to change things starting March 2010, I have a worry that if Zimbabweans will no longer in a position to import these cheap vehicles and resort to commuting, is the government going to provide the means. I know public transport provided by our Government has seen ages of failing through corruption and mismanagement. Isn’t it regressive, that when Citizens can now afford cheap means to travel around the government tend to restrict the progress. Zimbabwe has 2 companies which assemble vehicles and the vehicles are so expensive, where on earth can a Zimbabwean get USD$18 000.00 to buy a Mazda BT50,and even those vehicles which are less than 5 years are so expensive ,they cost close to new ones. Very few people in Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe could afford vehicles apart from those with good salaries and possibly with profitable organizations.

We might look at the other angle, credit facilities in Zimbabwe are not yet available to an extent that it is affordable. If there is a credit facility, it is normally granted to those with either title deeds or some collateral of some sort. I thought Government could wait until the economic environment is stable and Citizens can afford. It’s now almost 2 years we started paying toll fees and the speed of Tollgates construction and road construction is yet to be significant.  How can a Government be mini to its citizens like this and yet they allow the imports of Chinese goods which do not last, ranging from clothing, plastic shoes and after market machinery and equipment.  Today if you are to travel to some other rural places, there might be only 2 buses which go there, and only 2 times a week.  I can see Zimbabweans going back to walking long distances to a bus stop.  I think government did not a good research on this, I thought it was getting a lot of money from duty they have been charging.

- ZM

——

Good analysis in Kubatana’s pause for thought.

My first reaction was: providing an opportunity for extra pocket money for many police officers – all officers will want to go for the roadblock/ road patrol duty; and…

Wording like “efficient” and “serviceable” are subjective. At a police roadblock how will the “efficiency” of a jack be determined? … will depend on officer’s pocket requirements…

- MT

——

The Statuatory Instrument 154 which refines traffic regulations is a blessing in disguise for the police force. Imagine, the breakdown triangles (you need 2 per vehicle) need to have serial numbers, name of the manufacturer, year of manufacture and must conform to SAZ standards. Fortunately, it does not need an expiry date!

This is happy days indeed for the cash strapped police at road blocks.

May I propose some more regulations:

You need to produce a doctor’s prescription in case you carry pills and other types of Mushonga.

Drivers with spectacles or eye lenses are allowed, but you need to carry a prescription from your optometrist who has to be registered and paid up member of the Association of Optometrists of Zimbabwe.

Furthermore, do not wear shoes of the wrong size, the correct size can be obtained from the shoe officer at your local SAZ office.

It is forbidden to carry used condoms, and unused condoms must have a stamped serial number, a date of expiry, a letter of consent from your wife to use it and the name and ID of the intended recipient.

Ashtrays have to be empty all the time.

You need to carry at least 50 ml of washing liquid of which the quality must adhere to CAZ norms. This is to clean your windows.

All vehicles need to carry waste bags, one for each passenger.

In case a vehicle carries a baby under 9 months, the driver has to wear earplugs, the size of which must be within the norms as specified by the Health Council of Zimbabwe.

Music may be played during driving, but pirated recordings are not allowed, check with the Arts Council of Zimbabwe.

Traffic safety concerns us all, it is therefore obligatory to report every pothole, every non-working robot, and every non-working streetlight to the nearest police station, failure to do so will result in your vehicle being impounded and a maximum jail sentence for the driver of one weekend. In case of a custodian sentence your relatives may retrieve the working jack and a maximum of two breakdown triangles from the vehicle.

- GJ

——

Thanks for the news and the comments. I would like to find out who really comes up with these (sometimes crazy) regulations. Second hand vehicle ban, curfew on beer sales after seven and now the vehicle requirements. Maybe you can help me understand it as it`s becoming like cramming for an exam

- KM

——

I support this regulation because it is one way for providing safety to people. I drive every week to Gweru from Harare  and oftenly find breakdown cars on the road without any   warning signal  and at times, tree branches, stones or empty containers are placed on the road. This is risking other people’ lives. Furthermore, I watched a guy trying to put off fire on his car by pouring sand on it. This is unsafe and the guy lost the car. He could have minimised the damage to his car if he had a fire-extiquisher. Truely travelling without a spare wheel compromise the safety of individuals, one ends up sleeping on the road or can be attacked by thieves and robbers.

However, we are aware that gvt vehicles will not adhere to these regulations and we will need to put pressure on the govt to comply. We only live once

- ZM

——

Yes, we do appreciate the efforts by the government to solve some of the problems like safety standards on motor vehicles, however, should not be done at the expense of the general public  who are already suffering

- WM

——

It is our expectations that time to time government comes up with measures to ensure road accidents are reduced drastically. Everyone agrees with that but:

The whole approach is not being holistic when it comes to the real problems on the ground.

1. Right now our vehicle tyres are being worn out or damaged by unrepaired trenches that are being made acroos many roads in Harare. The people or who ever the company digs those trenches and put their cables and only cover the trench will soil. Right now a trench at the intersection of Charter and Chinhoyi has been like that for more than three weeks.There is another one dug just last week along the same charter road as you drive towards the fly over.Many like trenches like that are common feature in Harare’s roads and no one seems to care.Who will compensate for all damages to our vehicles or even accidents that may occur due to such trenches? The vehicles are becoming unroadworthy because of these bad roads.

2. Pot holes are all over.If you drive along Seke road from Coca Cola then you wonder if we have authorities responsible for ensuring that tsuch roads are repaired to avoid accidents and damages to vehicles.Just adjascent to Seke Road is airport road.You would think you are in a different country when you drive along airport road.No potholes.well surfaced and I have seen that the road is even being widened.Ok

3. A lot of people are allegedly obtaining drivers licences over the counter like bread .Very young people are driving commuter omnibuses without drivers licences everyday passing through road blocks.Commuter omnibus drivers are just a menace in our roads as they are reckless,just drive in any lane,stop at any point,does not even care others are using the roads and putting the lives of many into serious risk.Wht has so far been done to the problem-nothing

4. Drive along our major highways and you will discover tall grass growing and uncut for years which makes clear vission impossible.

I think we are not going to solve our probles.Just recently there were regulations that drivers are tested by CMED before real road test and that has since been abandoned.Why did the initiative fail to reduce road carnage.What we are proposing is no different to measures once implemented with CMED testing leanerr drivers.

I think we are not serious at all.

- GG

——

Road safety in Zimbabwe needs a broader solution. For example, street lighting, potholes, signage, and traffic lights need to be fixed. The police force needs to be out on the roads monitoring and fining poor driving. Unroadworthy vehicles need to be made safer. Perhaps revenue from diamond sales and tollgates could actually benefit and enhance the lives of Zimbabwean citizens through improving the general safety of the roads. Yes while this is true but at least we should start somewhere and I think this is a noble idea by the government. Let us, the motorists do our part and then vigorously push the government to meet its side of the bargain as well. This is the beginning and I believe, we in Zimbabwe have amassed a lot of hatred for the government to such an extent that we know longer believe that there is something we can do for ourselves. There is a limit to what the governemnt can do for its people, but there is no limit to what the people can do for themselves.

b) The Government make up a large number of vehicles on Zimbabwean roads in the form of public service vehicles like ambulances, prison vehicles, police cars, municipal vehicles, and army trucks. Will these vehicles adhere to the regulations that the general public is required to? Silly question right? – Let us the common people comply, and it is us the common people who use those government vehicles, so once your personal car is complying, move on and tell your employer that I am not going to work with this car because it is not complying with traffic regulations!Thats where we can start to force them to adhere to the rules, this we can equate to democratic resistance!It pays.Civil society need to rise up and be the police of whatever the government promulgates

c) How many vehicles are on the road in Zimbabwe? Can the manufacturing industry supply the items that every car is required to have by 1 December 2010? Clearly not – so what do people do when the police fine them for not having these items? – Here I tend to agree with you, that the timing is a bit too close for motorists to put their house in order. December 1 is just around the corner, even if every motorist was going to send in their cars for everything, there is no industrial capacity for that in Zimbabwe at the moment.  But I am again at pains to understand why one can move with a car that does not have a Spare wheel, a jack or a red triangle?I still can not understand this. These are requirements on any car and anyone buying a car in Zimbabwe should refuse that car if its coming without a jack, a spare wheel or a red triangle. These are the basis of what is called a car. These things are not for the police but for your own safety, its just like a stupid person who rushes to fasten a seatbelt on seeing a police road block. I for one does not drive a car with a passenger not putting his/her seatbelt. And its very easy once you make it a habit, for yourself, for the whole family. If my little 3 year old daughter can immediately fasten a seatbelt on getting into the car, why can’t grown ups do that. Its these little things that led to the collapse of the country.People should learn from the past, never to buy fuel from a chigubhu, never to change money on the black market and more importantly NEVER pay a bribe.Let him write the ticket and the money goes to the government.Its better that way!

d) Wording like “efficient” and “serviceable” are subjective. At a police roadblock how will the “efficiency” of a jack be determined? – This is the main problem of the regulation. And this reflects the main undoing of the Zimbabwean populace.From the GPA’s “in consultation with the Prime Minister” on major appointments to the the Electoral Act’s “reasonably satisfied”. We should be more to the point and leave no room for the officer’s discretion.

e) The Zimbabwean authorities are surely aware that the majority of citizens in Zimbabwe are either unemployed or underpaid and whilst vehicles need to be roadworthy and our roads need to become safer, many members of the public do not have the spare cash to purchase items like fire extinguishers. – This is not an excuse at ALL! So does this legitimise stealing, robbing etc because of poverty?Poverty has never been an excuse for legitimising illegitimate things.So we allow people to perish in the roads because someone does not have spare cash to purchase items like fire extinguishers?If that was the case, do you think poor countries like Mozambique could continue running and maintaining their Fire fighting engines, fire-brigades and firemen because they don’t have spare cash. A law should be a law, irregardless of one’s financial position. If one can not afford to meet the requirements of owning a car please sell it and let those who can meet them purchase the car.Infact Zimbabwe is not as strict when it comes to cars-all cars including private vehicles should go for yearly certifying for roadworthiness and any that does not meet the minimum should be denied a certificate of roadworthiness. Only after the owner has rectified all the problems and have it tested again only then can they be issued with a certificate of roadworthiness. Anyone who drives a car without a certificate of roadworthiness should either be jailed or the car forfeited to the state.

f) One has to wonder whether this is just another way for the Government to acquire funds from the public – is it really their business if you have a spare wheel in your car? – Why would anyone drive a car without a spare wheel?To whose disadvantage is it? And to whose inconvinience is it? Those are the cars that block roads causing accidents because someone has gone to start looking for some money to buy another tyre. People should budget for their cars and not just want to drive without the necessary parts for their cars at the same time endangering other motorists. My ONLY challenge with this law is only selective application of the law, otherwise the law itself is okay. Just like the ban on 5 year old Japanese vehicles, and the ban on LHD vehicles. I support these laws and they are being promulgated to make our country a better place to live. Asina mari ngaafambe nemaKombi vane mari votenga mota svinu!Infact the government should say a brand new car does not pay duty, marata ekuJapan ayo voaisa kana pa500% duty chaiko!

- JK