What is the Road Users Association?
The Road Users Association (RUA) is an informal organisation that has been formed by interested parties, mainly from the motoring industry and legal profession, to positively influence the unreasonable behaviour of the ZRP at their numerous check points throughout the country.
It is RUA’s belief that the police are acting unconstitutionally and illegally in their harassment of motorists, their imposition of unreasonable fines, their misinterpretation of the laws, and their use of ‘legislation’ that has not been promulgated. Furthermore, the number of roadblocks, sometimes within sight of one another, is excessive and unreasonable.
RUA considers that the actions of the ZRP are harming the economy, undermining public respect for the police, infringing the public’s constitutional rights, discouraging tourism, and placing undue hardship on motorists. Instead of the ‘spot checks’ achieving a ‘reduction in road carnage’, their stated objective, ZRP is often compromising road safety.
Objectives of the Association
- To co-ordinate legal action to ensure that road users are afforded their rights under the Constitution of Zimbabwe that was enacted by the Parliament of Zimbabwe, and assented to by the President, in 2013.
- To co-ordinate community projects, including: the online capture of Admission of Guilt ‘tickets’ and a complaints-monitoring process; resolving ‘hotspots’ such as infamous intersections; and liaison with other motoring-based community organisations.
- To co-ordinate a national effort by all stakeholders who are affected by the unfriendly environment on our roads, including those in the tourism, public transport and motor sectors.
- To continually engage the ZRP at all levels, on a national basis, to seek a return to FAIR PLAY.
A Challenge at the Constitutional Court
It is anticipated that a challenge will be made at the Constitutional Court. This will be supported by a substantial dossier of supporting affidavits from motorists who have been on the receiving end of the excesses of the ZRP, which will, of course, require funds with which to finance the legal action. To this end, we are appealing for affidavits that may be sworn in front of our legal representatives, as well as for donations, however small, which will be deposited into the trust account detailed below, managed by Webb, Low and Barry, a reputable legal firm in Bulawayo.
A Bulawayo based firm, Webb, Low and Barry will work to protect your rights under the Constitution of Zimbabwe, and every motorist in Zimbabwe, current and future, will benefit from a successful challenge.
If you have experienced an incident in which your rights were undermined and you wish to play a supporting role, this is your opportunity to achieve a positive outcome for your fellow road users.
The lawyer handling the case is David Coltart, Senior Partner of Webb, Low and Barry, Bulawayo. Mr Coltart can be contacted on dc [at] webblow [dot] co [dot] zw should any person have any queries about the nature of the case, the need for evidence and issues concerning funds required to institute the proposed court proceedings.
Financing the activities of the Association
RUA is reliant on your donations to fund its activities, starting with the legal action. The sooner the funding is in place, the sooner we will all return to enjoyable self-drive motoring in Zimbabwe.
Donations of $10, or whatever amount you are comfortable with, are requested as deposits to:
Account name: Webb, Low and Barry Trust Account
Bank: Stanbic Bank
Branch: Joshua Nkomo Street (Bulawayo)
Account no.: 914 000 298 3604 (US$)
Sort code: SBICZWHXIMPORTANT: Please reference deposits “RUA – 05/R031/001”
Alternative payment mechanisms such as EcoCash are in the process of being established.
How you can help
The Road Users Association represents you, the motorist. Feel free to raise any questions or make any suggestions. Although we will endeavour to, we can’t undertake to reply individually.
A large endeavour cannot be achieved with small means. Help by SHARING this appeal for support and funding; let’s spread the word.
We look forward to your positive and urgent support. Thank you,
The Road Users Association
Email: roaduserszim [at] gmail [dot] com