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Zanu-PF MP's vehicle evades toll fees with police assistance
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A policewoman stationed at Lothian Tollgate along the Masvingo-Roy Highway was caught on camera last week assisting a Zanu-PF-branded vehicle to evade paying toll fees. The incident, captured by The Mirror photographer Nyasha Mariga, has sparked outrage over the abuse of political privileges.
The vehicle in question, a Nissan Navara double cab with registration number AGE 0818, is owned by Zaka South MP Clemence Chiduwa, though he was not driving it at the time. According to a source, this is not an isolated incident, as Zanu-PF-branded vehicles have allegedly been evading toll fees across the country.
In 2023, the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) issued a notice at all tollgates reminding Zanu-PF members that they were not exempt from paying toll fees. Zinara head of corporate communications and marketing, Tsungie Manyeza, confirmed that the vehicle in question was not on the exemption list and stated that those who evade toll fees face a fine.
The policewoman, identified as Constable Chihoma, reportedly fled after realizing that The Mirror crew had caught her in the act. She had been confronted by the tollgate supervisor, who later admitted that the vehicle had passed illegally and blamed the police officer for violating the law.
When The Mirror's editorial consultant, Matthew Takaona, demanded an exemption certificate for the vehicle, none was provided. The driver simply bypassed the tollgate, and Constable Chihoma opened the VIP gate without question from the tolling staff.
Manyeza emphasized that only specific vehicles allocated to parliamentarians have toll exemptions and that these exemptions must be documented. "Exempted vehicles are issued tolling exemption certificates, which serve as official proof. These certificates must be presented at tolling sites for verification," she explained, adding that Zinara is investigating the incident.
When questioned about the matter, Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi referred all queries to Zinara.
Zanu-PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has previously raised concerns over the misuse of party-branded vehicles, including their involvement in criminal activities. The ruling party has over 500 branded vehicles issued to parliamentary candidates and party structures during the 2018 and 2023 elections.
Farai Marapira, Zanu-PF's director of information, distanced the party from any wrongdoing and insisted that the law should take its course. "Our position is that we are bound by what our national chairperson, Mai Muchinguri, said. Party drivers should respect road rules, and the law should take its course when those rules are not observed," Marapira said.
As of press time, MP Clemence Chiduwa had not responded to questions regarding the incident.
The vehicle in question, a Nissan Navara double cab with registration number AGE 0818, is owned by Zaka South MP Clemence Chiduwa, though he was not driving it at the time. According to a source, this is not an isolated incident, as Zanu-PF-branded vehicles have allegedly been evading toll fees across the country.
In 2023, the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) issued a notice at all tollgates reminding Zanu-PF members that they were not exempt from paying toll fees. Zinara head of corporate communications and marketing, Tsungie Manyeza, confirmed that the vehicle in question was not on the exemption list and stated that those who evade toll fees face a fine.
The policewoman, identified as Constable Chihoma, reportedly fled after realizing that The Mirror crew had caught her in the act. She had been confronted by the tollgate supervisor, who later admitted that the vehicle had passed illegally and blamed the police officer for violating the law.
When The Mirror's editorial consultant, Matthew Takaona, demanded an exemption certificate for the vehicle, none was provided. The driver simply bypassed the tollgate, and Constable Chihoma opened the VIP gate without question from the tolling staff.
Manyeza emphasized that only specific vehicles allocated to parliamentarians have toll exemptions and that these exemptions must be documented. "Exempted vehicles are issued tolling exemption certificates, which serve as official proof. These certificates must be presented at tolling sites for verification," she explained, adding that Zinara is investigating the incident.
When questioned about the matter, Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi referred all queries to Zinara.
Zanu-PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has previously raised concerns over the misuse of party-branded vehicles, including their involvement in criminal activities. The ruling party has over 500 branded vehicles issued to parliamentary candidates and party structures during the 2018 and 2023 elections.
Farai Marapira, Zanu-PF's director of information, distanced the party from any wrongdoing and insisted that the law should take its course. "Our position is that we are bound by what our national chairperson, Mai Muchinguri, said. Party drivers should respect road rules, and the law should take its course when those rules are not observed," Marapira said.
As of press time, MP Clemence Chiduwa had not responded to questions regarding the incident.
Source - The Mirror
