Fines For Most Road TrafficOffences Generally Raised From US$20 To Average US$100 Each In Zimbabwe.

In a nation that is faced with high numbers of road accidents and deaths on the lawless traffic jungle, mainly fuelled by corrupt traffic police who make a killing from bribes, non road worthy vehicles, unlicenced and dangerous drivers and greedy , heartless public transport operators who all operate in a Zanu PF created entropy, traffic fines for most offences have been dramatically raised.

In the new budget delivered by Mugabe’s Zanu PF regime, it was noted that traffic fines were too low to act as an incentive for lawful conduct on the roads. The minister of Finance, Patrick Chinamasa announced a sharp rise of traffic fines generally from US$20 to US$100 for various traffic offences.
Whilst the public would rightly view this as yet another cash cow for traffic police as they are expected to ask for higher bribes to save drivers from paying US$100 fines, this steep rise is expected to act as a deterrent for criminal minded drivers who jump red red traffic lights, unlicenced drivers, and non road worthy vehicles or abuse traffic police, by promoting road safety and enforcing road discipline.

To the discerning eye, this is a crucial and first step by the law in reclaiming ownership of the roads and finally taking public safety on the roads as a priority. Much as people will be displeased by this, it will bring about, a necessary positive change. By Sibusiso Ngwenya​