From: Zimbabwe Council for Tourism ZCT
Date: Fri, Jun 21, 2013 at 3:46 PM
Subject: Reportback on Meeting with ZRP Traffic
Following
an outcry from Members on the excessive number of police roadblocks nationwide,
ZCT and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority jointly met with the Police National
Traffic command led by Senior Assistant Commissioner
Chari. Facilitated by ZTA chief Karikoga Kaseke, the meeting was
attended by industry representatives including Barbara Murasiranwa (ZCT
Victoria Falls region), ITOZA chair Wengayi Nhau, ZTA COO Givemore Chidzidzi,
ZCT executive director June Muchemenyi-Nazare and senior ZTA executives.
The police
team was receptive, with Snr Ass Comm Chari welcoming the Tourism sector's
constructive approach to working with the police to address areas of mutual
concern. He emphasised that a positive representation of the police
and their professional, courteous and friendly service delivery could do
much to enhance Zimbabwe's destination image.
He
explained that traffic police had a three-pronged mandate:
• Ensuring
road safety of all stakeholders through awareness campaigns, educating and
training driverson safe road usage.
•Traffic
law enforcement - i.e. arresting and fining offenders breaking traffic laws.
•Traffic
investigations including road accidents.
He conceded
that the number of roadblocks appeared excessive given that the police, in
addition to their own duties listed above, also partner other authorities such
as VID, National Parks, ZINARA, ZBC, EMA and others inthe enforcements of their
own statutory requirements. He also credited ZRP's success in reducing
incidents of carjackings, political violence, stocktheft, wildlife and wood
poaching, drug trafficking and armed robberies to his department's presence on
the roads.
Whilst he
advised that an exercise was in progress to rationalise and reduce the number
of roadblocks, he warned that as Zimbabwe was approaching elections, the
presence of police on the roads would remain or even increase to enforce law
and order.
Additionally,
the public could expect high police presence during peak periods such as public
holidays and opening and close of school terms to protect the high
volume of road users. The police shall also increase presence in Victoria
Falls for the UNWTO General Assembly in August.
Snr Ass.
Comm. Chari advised that traffic fines range from US$5 to US$20 maximum,
and that a public schedule of all traffic fines was available from police
stations.
Agreed
course of action
• ZCT and
ZTA were invited to participate in the training of national traffic
police to sensitise them on tourism. The first of these training sessions
took place on Thursday 20 June at ZRP National Traffic HQ in Harare, and involved
some 30 Highway Patrol officers. Ben Ncube and June Muchemenyi-Nazare
represented ZTA and ZCT respectively
• Tourism
operators are advised to get to know their local
police officers-in-charge and to work closely with them
to enable minimum hinderance of tourism operations.
• Operators
and self-drive tourists are advised to ensure compliance with requirements of
Zimbabwean road and traffic regulations so that they are not caught on the
wrong side of the law.
• The
tourism sector was advised to lobby for amendments to SI 154/2010 which
requires operators to display documents on vehicles, and to unbundle the
tourism operator’s licences from that of public commuter transport vehicles.
• Ass.
Comm. Chimwanza is working on co-ordination of all national road blocks.
• Members
should not tolerate or promote poor or unprofessional conduct from traffic
police. Report any such conduct to the nearest police station
officer-in-charge. Disciplinary measures will be taken against 'bad
apples' tarnishing the image of the ZRP.
• The
private sector is invited to partner the police in sponsoring cones and
equipment to improve the appearance and visibility of roadblocks.
Interested Members please contact ZCT.
National
Traffic Police HQ Contacts:
Senior
Assistant Commissioner Martin Chari – Officer Commanding Police Traffic
0712867797/0773 400 999
Assistant
Commissioner Chipato – Crime 0712885243
Assistant
Commissioner Chimwanza – Operations 0712586827
Assistant
Commissioner Mtombeni – Admin 0712883312
ZCT
appreciates ZTA's facilitation of this fruitful meeting and establishment of
good rapport with ZRP, and looks forward to a mutually beneficial
partnership going forward.
Kind
regards
ZCT Secretariat
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