Particularly affected are those driving vehicles with South African registration numbers. Investigations revealed that while it is a Government requirement for cashiers to ensure that all vehicles passing through the tolling points are issued with tickets, the stipulation was largely flouted during the festive season holidays where officers manning the sites were collecting cash without issuing receipts.
In separate interviews, different motorists based in South Africa confirmed that they were not issued with tickets, professing ignorance that it was their right to demand the receipts.
They said they believed the actual transaction was being done electronically as was the case in South Africa.
Patson Mbiriri, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, said it was regrettable that officers tasked with the collection of toll fees were behaving in such a manner.
Failure by ZIMRA officials to issue tickets was a criminal offence, he said. “Where a toll fee is paid, a receipt must be issued. Motorists are requested to insist on a ticket being issued,” he said.
Road tolls were introduced on the major highways in August 2009 for the benefit of the national Road Fund. A total of 22 rudimentary structures were erected nationwide to kick start the exercise.
The toll fees are: $1 for light motor vehicles, minibuses $2, buses $3, heavy vehicles $4 and haulage trucks $5.
Mbiriri said as a way of minimising leakages in the collection of cash, government was in the process of installing electronic ticketing system.
“A tender is already running for the installation of electronic equipment, which is already in the country. Work should start in the near future.
“Improvements to the current system can only come about as members of the public (motorists in particular) inform us on the goings on at tolling points and we shall take appropriate action.”
Post published in: News