Mushrooming roadblocks trigger public outrage

A surge in police roadblocks on major routes into Harare - particularly along the Harare-Chitungwiza highway - has triggered public outrage and raised alarm within Zanu-PF, amid accusations that many of the checkpoints have morphed into cash-generating outposts benefiting rogue officers. The development threatens to undermine the government's reform agenda and the ruling party's efforts to regain support in the capital.

Senior Zanu-PF officials who spoke to this publication said the unchecked proliferation of roadblocks was creating resentment at a time when the party believes it is gaining momentum in Harare. The ruling party has recently held packed inter-district meetings at the Aquatic Complex in Chitungwiza and Gwanzura Stadium, events officials say reflect growing support, partly attributed to businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei's elevation to the Zanu-PF central committee representing Harare Province.

"Too many roadblocks are not serving the public - they are angering citizens and undermining confidence in government reforms," a top Zanu-PF insider said. "We are trying to win the hearts of the people in Chitungwiza and other places in Harare, but we have so many roadblocks. Yes, we need these police checks, but when they become too many and turn into ‘cash cow stations', they lose the essence of policing. They can ignite revolts if not addressed."

For months, motorists on the Harare-Chitungwiza Road have complained of an unprecedented concentration of police checkpoints, some positioned barely 500 metres apart. Drivers allege that officers demand spot fines that rarely reach the Treasury, with commuter omnibus operators claiming losses of up to US$15 a day despite carrying valid permits. One kombi driver said the system worsened after anti-corruption authorities began probing police officers late last year. "We used to pay US$5 to pass, but that stopped when anti-graft authorities started targeting the police. Now they're demanding more, disguised as fines," he said, displaying multiple tickets issued for what he described as the same offence.

Another motorist called the situation "legalised extortion under the guise of traffic enforcement." Operators insist the bribe networks briefly vanished under increased anti-corruption scrutiny, only to return more aggressively under the cover of intensified traffic enforcement.

During the run-up to last month's Zanu-PF national people's conference, rumours circulated in the transport sector that some officers claimed they were raising money for the conference and other party events. Senior Zanu-PF officials rejected the allegations outright, insisting the party does not rely on government departments for fundraising. "Anyone using the party's name for extortion must be investigated," one insider said. Zanu-PF director for information Farai Marapira did not respond to inquiries sent to him on Friday.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi recently reminded officers that roadblocks must be set within authorised distances and in line with operational guidelines. But the directive appears to have had little impact, with reports of roadblocks extending deep into residential neighbourhoods such as St Mary's, Chitungwiza Town Centre, Seke, Nyatsime and Zengeza.

Economic analysts warn that the policing practices erode public trust and contradict the government's drive toward achieving an upper middle-income economy by 2030. "No economy grows with predatory law-enforcement behaviour," one economic governance expert said. Commuters also argue that the current conduct is at odds with the "Second Republic" reform narrative. "We are being punished daily for nothing," a frustrated driver said.

A local transport association has called for transparency regarding collected fines and urgent enforcement of police operational protocols. Attempts to obtain further comment from Commissioner Nyathi were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

Zanu-PF insiders maintain that swift intervention is crucial to prevent public frustration from escalating into a political backlash.