Traffic Bribes Must End Declares Peter Phiri

Promoting the “No Bribes But Fines Campaign”, government officials have expressed discontent at the continuing level of corruption among traffic police officers.

The initiative was launched on November 16 to stop the payment and receipt of bribes on Zambia’s roads.

According to the 2019 Zambia Bribe Payers Index, the Zambia police traffic section is ranked as one of the most likely public offices to accept bribes, being rated at 40.7% percent.

Eastern Province minister Peter Phiri, in a speech promoting the new campaign, commented that “the situation is unacceptable. This corruption cannot happen without the involvement of a motorist.” The new campaign seeks to encourage motorists not to attempt to bribe officials but instead accept the legally mandated fines for small offences.

Phiri commended the Zambia Police, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and all stakeholders for their efforts to end state corruption since President Hichilema came to office. Audits of public offices have revealed the extent of rampant corruption and misuse of public funds under the administration of Edgar Lungu. For example, one audit found $45 million was paid in salaries to individuals who to this day remain unregistered on official systems. Hichilema is also determined to end excessive spending by state offices in order to properly prioritise Zambia’s development. For example, yesterday he pledged to sell the “extravagant” presidential jet bought for $193 million by the former president. Decrying the misuse of public funds he commented, “we could have looked after the judiciary… we could have also bought a lot of school desks for the kids…”

Phiri’s speech continued, “the dangers of corruption on our roads are well known. We have lost lives which could have been preserved had it not been for that erring motorist who offered a bribe to an officer to be allowed to proceed even when their motor vehicle was not roadworthy.”

Phiri ended by commending the ACC for launching the initiative and encouraged Eastern Province to continue the fight against corruption. The official also confirmed that the Zambian police have committed themselves to remove any officers known for taking bribes henceforth.

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