State mulls electronic fines payment system to curb graft

Source: News day, 30/12/2015

PLANS to curb corruption within the Zimbabwe Republic Police traffic
section are underway with a system being developed to ensure people
charged for road offences pay electronically.


This was said by Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa while addressing
Senate last week during debate on the Finance Bill to do with the 2016
National Budget.


Chinamasa was responding to concerns by Bulawayo Metropolitan Senator
Tholakele Khumalo over corruption at roadblocks.
Khumalo had claimed police who collected spot fines usually have two
receipt books — one for themselves and the other, a bona-fide
one.


"We are exploring how we can collect these fines electronically,"
Chinamasa told Senate.


"I am aware that a project is being developed on a joint venture
basis. It has not yet come to Cabinet, but it is intended that as
people pay fines wherever the police roadblock is, the police will
have an electronic device so that as fines are paid, we will know the
real time it was paid, what has been paid, and thus should be able to
account for it."


He said if Cabinet approved the initiative, it would go a long way in
addressing public concerns with respect to corruption among police
officers at roadblocks.


The announcement by Chinamasa comes at a time after he increased
traffic fines with effect from January 1, 2016.


Chinamasa announced in the 2016 National Budget an increase in traffic
spot fines, where offences for proceeding against a red traffic light,
overtaking over a solid white line, driving without a licence and foot
brakes not working, would attract a fine of $100 up from $20.


Home Affairs secretary Melusi Matshiya expressed concern that if there
was no proper electronic system to monitor how the fines were
collected, it would fuel corruption.


"If you raise traffic fines up to $100, it raises serious concerns
because if you leave it to the police officer on the ground, it can be
manipulated. There is need for consultation on the issue with
secretaries of respective departments before its implementation,"
Matshiya told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home
Affairs and Security Services when he appeared before it early this
month.


Matshiya also told the committee that if funding was availed for the
electronic monitoring system, it would go a long way in combating
malpractices at roadblocks.


Chinamasa informed senators that he had ordered all revenue collection
institutions, which are allowed retention, to open accounts with the
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe by the end of January next year.


"This is to enhance our capacity to monitor what takes place with
respect to these funds. If there is misbehaviour or any malpractices
that are going on, we should be able to stamp them very early," he said.