Mohadi warns ministers and MPs against seeking special treatment at roadblocks

HARARE – Vice President Kembo Mohadi has warned ministers and legislators against flashing official IDs or dropping names to evade scrutiny at police roadblocks.


Speaking on Friday at the High-Level Road Safety Indaba in Harare, organised by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, Mohadi said public officials who drive or are assigned official vehicles must set an example by obeying traffic laws.

“Leadership must be demonstrated through exemplary behaviour,” Mohadi said.

“Those entrusted with public responsibility must recognise that road safety is everyone’s business and it applies equally to everyone.”

Mohadi said leaders could not promote road safety while breaking traffic rules themselves. He also called for improvements to learner licensing and defensive driving training to reduce road crashes.

He urged Zimbabwe to step up efforts to meet its commitments under the African Road Safety Charter. He said the charter requires member states to establish a lead agency to coordinate road safety efforts.

“As a country we therefore need to redouble our efforts and meet the three years deadline we committed to in the Africa Road Safety Charter,” Mohadi said.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona backed the warning, saying it should be treated as a directive from the executive because Mohadi was representing the President at the event.

“So this is a directive, a proclamation and we must adhere to it,” Mhona said.

He said all drivers were expected to obey road signs and speed limits, regardless of their position.