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School bus hit with US$30 fine over Route Authority requirement, questions raised
8 hrs ago |
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A traffic enforcement operation by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Mbembesi has sparked questions after a school bus was allegedly issued with a US$30 deposit fine for operating without a Route Authority, despite claims that the vehicle was exempt from the requirement.
The incident reportedly occurred on 22 July 2026 at a police roadblock along the Bulawayo Road during an exercise led by Assistant Inspector Sibanda of ZRP Mbembesi Traffic.
According to information provided by Tafadzwa Gambiza, the bus belonged to St Martins Primary School in Amaveni and was transporting learners when officers stopped it. Gambiza said the driver produced a valid Operator's Licence, but police insisted the vehicle required a Route Authority and directed the driver to pay a US$30 deposit fine.
He argued that previous guidance from the ZRP indicated that school buses transporting learners and company buses ferrying employees are not required to possess a Route Authority. Gambiza further claimed that even if an offence had been committed, the applicable charge should fall under Section 18(1)(a) of the Road Motor Transportation Act [Chapter 13:15], which he said carries a Level One deposit fine of US$5 under the National Deposit Fine Schedule - not the US$30 allegedly imposed.
He added that officers conducting retention exercises are generally expected to inspect documents such as the vehicle registration book, Operator's Licence and Certificate of Fitness.
The allegations could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate comment from the ZRP or Assistant Inspector Sibanda at the time of publication.
The matter is likely to raise questions over the interpretation and enforcement of Route Authority requirements for school buses, as well as the application of the National Deposit Fine Schedule, adding to ongoing debates around public transport regulation and ZRP traffic enforcement.
Police are yet to respond to the allegations.
The incident reportedly occurred on 22 July 2026 at a police roadblock along the Bulawayo Road during an exercise led by Assistant Inspector Sibanda of ZRP Mbembesi Traffic.
According to information provided by Tafadzwa Gambiza, the bus belonged to St Martins Primary School in Amaveni and was transporting learners when officers stopped it. Gambiza said the driver produced a valid Operator's Licence, but police insisted the vehicle required a Route Authority and directed the driver to pay a US$30 deposit fine.
He argued that previous guidance from the ZRP indicated that school buses transporting learners and company buses ferrying employees are not required to possess a Route Authority. Gambiza further claimed that even if an offence had been committed, the applicable charge should fall under Section 18(1)(a) of the Road Motor Transportation Act [Chapter 13:15], which he said carries a Level One deposit fine of US$5 under the National Deposit Fine Schedule - not the US$30 allegedly imposed.
The allegations could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate comment from the ZRP or Assistant Inspector Sibanda at the time of publication.
The matter is likely to raise questions over the interpretation and enforcement of Route Authority requirements for school buses, as well as the application of the National Deposit Fine Schedule, adding to ongoing debates around public transport regulation and ZRP traffic enforcement.
Police are yet to respond to the allegations.
Source - Byo24News
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