Mnangagwa clarifies on spot fines

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa says the issue of spot fines is an administrative process that was put in place for the convenience of the justice delivery system.

Vice President Mnangagwa's clarification follows the debate that dominated the media this week over spot fines.

In an interview on the sidelines of a presentation at the Zimbabwe Staff College, Vice President Mnangagwa, who is also the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, said while the judge made his comment outside a court of law, what is important is whether the payment of spot fines is done in accordance with the law or not.

He said the payment of spot fines was made to ease the administrative processes in the payment of the fines for travelling motorists.

The Vice President said the government is worried about the abuse of authority by some police officers who are demanding bribes saying it requires the participation of all stakeholders to curb the vice.

In his presentation to the officers attending the Joint Command and Staff Course Number 28 at the Zimbabwe Staff College, Vice President Mnangagwa said corruption and fraudulent activities are derailing efforts in achieving goals set out in the new constitution.

The establishment of independent commissions such as the Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Prosecuting Authority were deliberate efforts by the country to allow independence in the prosecution of cases.