Zimbabwe Republic Police: For or against the people?
So police stopped my husband and me after crossing Fourth Street along Herbet Chitepo for “failing to stop at an amber light”. The officer who pulled us over was unnecessarily aggressive right off the bat harshly telling us ‘green is a caution to stop so you’re not allowed to proceed on amber’. I wasn’t happy with his attitude and asked for his unit number, rank and name all of which he refused to give and asked us to pull over. Basically, the whole thing devolved into threats to open a docket and us argue our case in court simply because I asked for unit number, rank and name none of which were ever given to us. The second officer then diffused the situation and let us go but not after trying to open the front passenger door so he could let me out “so we could talk”. I locked my door, told him I’m pregnant and it’s hot so no thank you but I was stunned that he was so forward and intent to “talk” and I wasn’t even the driver. It was an aggravating situation to be in and the blatant abuse of power and manipulation (twisting facts and threatening us with court) had me reduced to tears. – Kubatana subscriber, Harare
Action: Get informed. According to the Highway Code, you must stop at an amber light, unless you are too close to the stop line that you cannot stop safely, in which case “the vehicle shall proceed subject to due precaution being taken.” According to the February 2012 Traffic Fine Schedule, the fine for proceeding against an amber light (where you could have stopped safely) is $10. You can get the Traffic Fine Schedule here
Friday, September 7th 2012 at 10:04 am
Hi there
I would like to echo my sentiments concerning the abuse of power and manipulation by the institutions in Zimbabwe. I am concerned especialy by the issue of the billing systems of ZESA, ZINWA and Telone. I reside in S.A but my mum still stays in Zimbabwe. I am at my wits end because ever since the country changed over to the US dollar it seems as if these institutions simply took advantage of the transition and unfairly calculated the outstanding amounts such that civilians would bear the cost of the institutions mismanaged finances. As of now my mother is sitting with a telone bill of US$6000,00. She has since requested a print out of the phone calls that have brought the bill to such an amount. Telone has not been forthcoming with the print out because the account is in my father’s name but he is in the USA. My mum then decided to go to telone with my father’s I.D and their marriage certificate but was rudely informed that both documents did not mean anything that she could have just stolen someone’s I.D they did not even try to advice her on alternative ways that she can acquire the print out. At this point my mum has been summoned to court with the the threat that she must bear the costs there of. I really would like some one to get back to me as to how I can get assistance for my mother. Above all I would like to know if there is any advocacy that is going on on this issue
Friday, September 7th 2012 at 12:48 pm
No one knows even those clueless ministers. One time they say all these alleged emerging after 2009 must be nullified but the parastatals keep threatening old women with court action. The best she can do, like all Zimbabweans, is ignore this nonsense. Nothing will happen to her.
Tuesday, September 11th 2012 at 11:24 am
Is there any way weher we as Zimbabweans can lobby our government to bail us out against these policemen? They are actually making more money for their pockets than they remit to the state.
I forsee the transport sector soon charging high because of the toruble one faces for owning a car in Zim. Surely, they should be assisting reduce crime, but they are just out and about to collect cash from citizens for owning a car.
We definetely must do somethng.
However we on he other hand are let down by organisations/ lobby groups that should be on our isde.
I have never heard of the succees report back story from Ant corruption commission.