Driving Schools in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe Protest Against Corruption at the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID)

The Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-SA) received with grave concerns several reports that officials in the employ of the Kwekwe Depot of the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) were allegedly receiving bribes in exchange for drivers’ licences. Complainants singled out four (4) officials who are soliciting bribes of One Hundred United States dollars (US$100) in exchange for Class 4 and 5 drivers’ licences. All those refusing to pay would fail regardless of how good they are. On the 18th of March 2019, more than 18 representatives of driving schools in Kwekwe met and resolved to shun taking learners to the Depot in protest against the corruption thereof. For instance on the 18th of March 2019, only 2 learners registered to be tested as compared to more than 20 who registers on a daily basis. Mr. Obert Chinhamo, the Director of the Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa indicated that he alerted the head of the Depot who chose to ignore the tip-off thereby giving an impression that he was either part of the syndicate or that he was not taking corruption seriously. “On the 14th of March 2019, I called the Depot Manager who sounded indifferent to the tip-off. I gave him the names of the four officials implicated in the corruption scandal as well as an indication that there were several learners willing to help him set the traps and catch the culprits red-handed. He promised to visit to our offices on the same day for further discussions but he didn’t. I am not surprised that driving schools have decided to protest against this depot. Corruption is sickening and it disturbs even more when a leader of such a Depot refuses to cooperate in support of his subordinates.” he says

Mr. Chinhamo warned that most of the people who buy drivers’ licences are responsible for the road carnages and deaths in the country. As a solution, Mr. Chinhamo recommended an inquiry into these allegations as well as an immediate transfer of the four VID officials fingered in the corruption. “It should not come as a surprise when we witness an increase in road carnages. This is one of the main causes. All the officials implicated must be transferred immediately pending investigations. Driving schools will open up when these individuals are either on suspension or transferred elsewhere” he adds.

The Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa is deeply concerned that acts of corruption are increasing since several reports continue to be received in the allocation of land by traditional leaders and Ministry of Lands officials. Police officers are also allegedly receiving bribes from motorists and illegal money dealers.On the 1st of March 2019, the trust testified in a corruption case involving an employee of Zimra. There seem to be no end to acts of corruption which is exacerbated by the lack of sanctions against the corrupt.

Source: Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-Southern Africa)

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