Zinara tollgate fees exemption clarified

ZIMBABWE National Road Administration (Zinara) has clarified that only Government vehicles and those issued to traditional chiefs are exempted from paying tollgate fees while motorists living within a 10km radius of the tollgate are given a single discounted pass daily.

In 2020, Zinara resolved to exempt Government-issued traditional chiefs’ vehicles instead of the person of chiefs in a move meant to curb alleged abuse of exemptions by some traditional leaders.

According to Statutory Instrument 39 of 2009, which guides tolling operations in Zimbabwe, traditional chiefs are exempted from paying toll fees but previous exemptions were by way of cards, which were issued and would be presented to cashiers at the tollgates who will then process for free passage.

However, it was later noted that the system presented loopholes as any vehicle carrying a chief would request for free passage as the arrangement exempted the person not the vehicle, from paying toll fees.

To ensure compliance with new regulations, Zinara engaged the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for a list of all vehicles that were issued to the chiefs by the Government. Responding to written questions for clarity on the matter, Zinara head of corporate communications and marketing, Mrs Tsungie Manyeza, said the criteria for tollgate fees exemption was guided by the Registration and Vehicle Licensing Act.

“The criteria for toll fees exemption are spelt out in the Registration and Vehicle Licensing Act, which qualifies all Government vehicles from paying toll fees. We implement this legal requirement uniformly to all eligible vehicles,” said Mrs Manyeza.

She said there is another category of vehicles that qualifies for residential discounts, which are issued to people who live within a 10km radius of the tollgate site.

“This group of motorists are allowed one discounted tollgate pass daily, with any additional passage being charged at the regular rate,” said Mrs Manyeza.

Zimbabwe started constructing tollgates in 2006 and they became operational three years later in a move meant to augment funds for road infrastructure maintenance.

Zinara is a corporate body established in terms of the Road Act (Chapter 13:18). The body was established in 2002 in line with Government’s commitment to prioritise the enhancement of a good road network system throughout the country.

The mandate of Zinara is to fix, collect, disburse road user charges and mobilise revenue for roads development and maintenance. It also encompasses the monitoring of such funds that would have been disbursed for road maintenance to road authorities.

The tollgate fees exemption clarification by Zinara follows strong warnings by Zanu-PF chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and secretary general Dr Obert Mpofu, which was given to party members who were reportedly bullying their way without paying tollgate fees.

The party leadership reiterated that party members must be at the forefront in demonstrating themselves as law-abiding citizens and those who deviated from that clarion call would face the full wrath of the law.