News / Local
New traffic fines just fundraising drive-motorists
31 Mar 2017 at 09:35hrs | Views
Scores of Bulawayo motorists have expressed outrage at new traffic
fines signing into law by President Robert Mugabe under the
Finance Act last week.
Motorists said the hike is a revenue fundraising ploy by Government as other revenue streams are drying up.
"Mugabe only legalised something that the police where already illegally doing.
"What this means is that traffic officers will 'top' up the fines to maintain their daily takings" said Gilbert Dube.
Various commuter drivers said the fines are too exorbitant and will negatively affect their operations.
"We are in fix right now. We have to daily have about $45 on stand by in case police pounce.
"Few cops now order the vehicle to be taken to Drill Hall traffic section, they just demand $30 bribe.
"We wonder how much will they demand now' said a driver who identified himself as Peter.
Other drivers hinted on also hiking fares to $1 but said that would be resisted.
As pronounced in the Finance Act, a level 1 fine which was previously pegged at $5 now attracts $10, while level 2 has been raised from $10 to $15 with level 3 having been raised from $20 to $30 per offence.
Motorists said the hike is a revenue fundraising ploy by Government as other revenue streams are drying up.
"Mugabe only legalised something that the police where already illegally doing.
"What this means is that traffic officers will 'top' up the fines to maintain their daily takings" said Gilbert Dube.
Various commuter drivers said the fines are too exorbitant and will negatively affect their operations.
"We are in fix right now. We have to daily have about $45 on stand by in case police pounce.
"Few cops now order the vehicle to be taken to Drill Hall traffic section, they just demand $30 bribe.
"We wonder how much will they demand now' said a driver who identified himself as Peter.
Other drivers hinted on also hiking fares to $1 but said that would be resisted.
As pronounced in the Finance Act, a level 1 fine which was previously pegged at $5 now attracts $10, while level 2 has been raised from $10 to $15 with level 3 having been raised from $20 to $30 per offence.
Source - Byo24News
