Police roadblocks are set to resurface soon in Bulawayo with the police purchasing high end surveillance equipment as part of efforts to step up vigilance and efficiency on the major highways.
Early this month, it was reported that government would buy modern surveillance equipment, including high-tech drones and helicopters, to enhance police operations.
The new equipment is set to assist ZRP traffic officers monitoring road blocks, as they carry out their duties such as spotting, ticketing, fining and possibly stamp out corruption that takes place between officers and motorists.
In an interview on the sidelines of a meeting between Bulawayo residents and transport operators, organised by the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA), Tuesday, ZRP District Committee Relations Officer, Assistant Inspector Fundai Moyo, confirmed the development.
“The new machines are portable, they are slightly bigger than swipe machines and would be used to enter and capture data. This equipment will also produce tickets to offenders. The operating system is designed in e-form and police will no longer write tickets manually,” he said.
Operations Coordinator Traffic, Assistant Inspector Social Dube added that the machine would also allow motorists to pay for their offenses on the spot whether by cash or swipe.
“The system is designed in a way that is linked to CVR, Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) and the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA). The machine is also linked to the national system in Harare. Every detail will be stored to make work for the traffic officers efficient,” he said.
Meanwhile, Asst. Inspector Moyo said ZRP would be working with the Bulawayo City Council to ease congestion along these roads: 9th avenue and Herbert Chitep; 9th Avenue and Leopold Takawira; 9th Avenue and Joshua Nkomo; 10th Avenue Herbert Chitepo and 10th Avenue and Fort Street.
“We are trying to decongest the city and police will be monitoring these roads from 6.30 am to 8am and 4.30pm to 6pm. We urge patience from drivers and ask transport or commuter operators to tell drivers to be patient, not to force way through. If Bulawayo residents have queries regarding transport or road matters they can call to free on toll lines – those who use Netone is 110 and 999 for landlines,” he said.
