Too many roadblocks bleed economy: Economists File pic: The four police officers - all based at Tsholotsho Police Station - allegedly stole a Z69J book which is used to issue tickets for traffic crimes and mounted a series of unsanctioned roadblocks for four days two weeks ago.

Dosman Mangisi recently in Harare
ECONOMISTS say “too many” roadblocks on the country’s roads have a negative effect on trade relations, which affects investment while fuelling corruption. Speaking during the 2015 industrial development workshop organised by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) in conjunction with the Swedish Chamber of Trade in Harare last week, economic experts urged the government to regulate roadblocks for economic reasons.

Fabian Wallen, a Swedish-born economist said “too many” roadblocks have been proved to be a liability to economies the world over. “Too many roadblocks bleed an economy, especially an ailing one. Many police roadblocks fuel high corruption activity in the country with too many bribes,” he warned.

“It (roadblocks) delays the movement of goods and services and increases smuggling of things in and out of the country. Good examples in Africa are Tanzania and Kenya who used to have many police checkpoints and have since reduced them.

“Tanzania used to have 58 road blocks just from Dar es Salaam to Rusume border post but they’ve reduced to 15. The country was now being shunned because of that. Kenya has eliminated all roadblocks and things have changed in the country.”

Gift Mugano, a University of Zimbabwe economist and research associate with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in South Africa said police roadblocks in Zimbabwe were now a liability to businesspeople in terms of time and costs. He said roadblocks in the country were now a big business barrier.

“In business we say time is money but it’s now a different situation with Zimbabwe. You see too many police roadblocks especially close to central business districts almost every kilometre. Time is affected and the police are not time conscious especially in early hours. Drivers are now forced to carry bribes, or people so that when bothered by police they’ve something to bribe and reduce delays. A lot of roadblocks cost business and storage, which is an economic barrier,” said Mugano.

ZNCC chief executive officer, Christopher Mugaga, said the recent increase in traffic fines was a sign of desperation by the government, which would worsen the plight of the motoring public on roadblocks and affect the economy at large.

“The new measures put in place by government to increase traffic fines and increasing of roadblocks is a sign that the government is desperately in need of cash. But this process increases corruption between people and police,” said Mugaga. “They’ll all resort to corruption because it’s a true fact that there’s no money. The country is in a liquidity crisis, how many motorists will be able to travel with over $100 in their pockets to pay fines. Instead they’ll opt for a bribe and the hungry police officer will receive it.”

Comment could not be obtained from the police. Presenting the 2016 National Budget recently, Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, announced that fines for some traffic offences will increase beginning next month.

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