Tinomutenda Midzi
ZVISHAVANE – It was a sight to see last week along Zvishavane – Buchwa road when a motorist told a traffic officer that he will definitely use juju to fix him after some misunderstanding over road charges, TellZim News can reveal.
The incident happened just outside of Zvishavane and this reporter witnessed the man, driving a Toyota Hilux with South African plates, fuming as he felt he had been over-fined by the ‘overzealous’ officer.
“How can you ask for more than US$30 for one non-functional backlight? Ndirikunokora tsoka dzako nhasi ndonokugadzirisa kun’anga. You act as if you were not raised among Africans. Even the bank is offering very little amount of money and where do you expect us to get that hefty amount you are asking for?” the angry man questioned.
“I showed you a ticket where I have been charged R1 080 on my way here and you still think I have something to offer. Don’t act as if you are not a father yourself. You know how hard it is to look after family these days,” he grieved.
The officer, together with his colleague, were shocked and delayed to vacate as the man was saying he won’t leave until he collects soil with their footprints.
The motorist remained at the place and took the prints of the officers when they left after a while.
Though some road users at the scene were outraged by the conduct of the police, others expressed disgust at the attitude of the irate motorist.
“The officer is just executing his duties and there is nothing wrong about that. If you want to drive your car around, make sure it is well in required condition to avoid commotion,” said one traveller.
Others, however, said it was the best way to show the police that road users were citizens of the nation and not mobile banks.
“These people think we are mobile banks. They stop you here demanding money and stop you there demanding money. Roadblocks are too close to each other and how do they expect us to have all the money they want?” said another traveller.news