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In interviews on Monday, commuter omnibus operators who ply the Gweru-Shurugwi route said that they were paying police officers at road blocks $7 per trip on average as bribes.
They said they would spend more on longer routes like the Gweru-Masvingo route.
“We are made to pay these bribes despite possessing all the requisite documents at times. Even if one’s vehicle is in immaculate condition and all the documents are in order, the police officers will find fault and demand that you give them a bribe,” said a driver of a commuter omnibus which plies the Gweru-Shurugwi route.
Most commuter omnibus crews who operate along the Gweru-Shurugwi route said the paying of bribes to the police affected their profit margins, hence the decision to increase fares.
They said they were now paying for two toll gates, the official toll gate and the police officers.
Another bus driver said police officers were not issuing tickets for the alleged traffic offences because they wanted to be paid bribes.
“They just tell us to just pay five dollars. The practice is known as “kudhiza”. We are struggling to break even and if we continue to charge normal fares we will be out of business soon.
“We are parting with $14 per trip, that is to and from Shurugwi including the toll gate fee. The police officers usually prefer waiting for motorists at a point near Daylesford. As we approach Gweru there is another road block and we have to give the police money.”
The drivers said the increased roadblocks during the holidays meant they had to budget more money for police officers.
Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Patrick Chademana urged motorists to desist from paying bribes.
He said they should instead report such officers at the nearest police station.
“We do not condone corruption and anyone found demanding bribes will be punished severely,” he said.
Insp Chademana said to demonstrate the seriousness the force attaches to the conduct of police officers, senior police officers from the Police General Headquarters were touring the country to monitor the operations of the police and get a first-hand account of the situation on the ground.-Chronicle
Online Reporter