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Freedom Mupanedemo Midlands Bureau
THE motoring public in the Midlands Province has hailed the professional conduct being exhibited by traffic police manning roadblocks on highways, saying the country’s law enforcing arm was now acting in line with the expectations of the Second Republic.

There has been a heavy presence of traffic police in all major highways of late and most motorists anticipated a harsh clampdown and an aggressive approach on the travelling public synonymous with the dreaded police conduct of yesteryear under the old dispensation.

In separate interviews, most motorists in the Midlands province said they were very happy with the professional conduct by the police who were now manning road blocks.

They said the Second Republic under the leadership of President Mnangagwa was proving to be an ideal one, adding that the professional work ethics were beginning to be felt.

“What we are witnessing from the conduct of the police at most of the roadblocks is what we have yearned for. We have over the years been subjected to harassment and extortion at the hands of the police but it seems the police officers are desperate to regain the public trust.

“We are seeing a professional police force which is doing its duty as mandated by the Constitution,” said Mr Ronald Dube of Gweru, who travels to and from Kwekwe on a daily basis.

Mr Dube who works in Kwekwe said he used to budget at least $10 to pay police at roadblocks even when his car was roadworthy. “When the police returned to the road recently, I said to myself we are now back in trouble. I was however proven wrong.

‘‘We now have only two roadblocks between Gweru and Kwekwe and at the roadblock they check your car and see if it’s roadworthy, they check your licence and when everything is well they let you pass.

‘‘However, under the old dispensation, every car had to pay something at a roadblock, they would search for the slightest error on the car or the driver only to extort you,” claimed Mr Dube.

Another motorist, Mrs Melania Velani said the police officers manning roadblocks were now professional and engaging.

“I was very surprised that when approaching a road block, the police introduce themselves and check on your vehicle, if there is a fault on the car, they caution you and tell you to rectify the problem.

“They can fine you by writing a ticket which you can pay to a nearest police station if the offence is severe.

‘‘This was not the same with the police under the previous administration who would demand cash insisting on a spot fine,” she said.

Kombi crews plying the Gweru City- Mkoba Highway however appealed to the police to decongest the highway during rush hours and avoid unnecessary delays.

“We have a problem with the roadblock at Mtapa, during rush hour there will be long queues as traffic try to give each other way at the roadblock,” said Mr Jasper Nyoni, a kombi driver.