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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
HOME Affairs Deputy Minister Obedingwa Mguni has said there is room for police not to demand spot fines if a driver is traceable. The Deputy Minister also defended police roadblocks across the country saying each roadblock was serving a purpose to promote peace and security. Mguni said this while responding to MPs during the National Assembly’s question and answer session.

MDC-T MPs Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri asked Mguni why police were allegedly harassing motorists over minor issues.

Mguni said people have to realise that being asked to obey rules is not harassment.

On the issue of fines, he said: “Yes, there is room that people can’t be charged and spot fines demanded if the driver has full particulars.

“For example, if he has committed a crime of not putting on his seat belt, he should have a driver’s licence, his identity card and a proof of address.

“The fine could be paid somewhere else or if the fine is above $20 he has to go and pay somewhere else but if the driver is untraceable, a spot fine will be issued.”

He said there was a lot of negativity among Zimbabweans when it comes to the issue of roadblocks but the nation was not looking at the bigger picture.

“Zimbabwe is so peaceful. I think people must appreciate that. Don’t look always at the negative side of it because those roadblocks have now maintained that peaceful status in Zimbabwe due to the fact that people are scared to carry firearms in this country,” Mguni said.

“The roadblocks, some people will say they are too many yet they have got various purposes. Some are looking for offenders that are moving in the cars, some roadblocks will be checking the status of the cars, some roadblocks will be looking for smuggled goods, so they have got various purposes.

“Therefore, I think Zimbabweans must cooperate, especially MPs. They must uphold the work that is done by the police.”