Home Affairs Minister admits Smart Traffic Management System makes mistakes amid motorist complaints

Minister of Home Affairs, Kazembe Kazembe, has admitted loopholes in the early stages of the Smart Traffic Management System (STMS) rollout, which motorists have scrutinized.

STMS, which has since been implemented at 20 spots in Harare, has drawn complaints from motorists who accuse the ZRP of prejudicing them through misidentification.

Speaking in the National Assembly recently, Kazembe said the system is making mistakes in capturing details, which the ZRP is addressing.

Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe

“We have received a few complaints from the citizens in that regard and the issue is being looked at. It is true; we have evidence to suggest that the system is making mistakes, missing probably one digit, but what is supposed to happen — we have already started looking into it from an operational perspective because in this system, before the ticket is issued, there is a validation process.

“It means we are lacking there from an operational perspective, and I have spoken to the Commissioner General to say that there are these complaints — can you please attend to them?

“This is a new system. I am not trying to justify the errors; we take responsibility, and we are attending to it as a matter of urgency.

“However, the officers are supposed to validate before the ticket is issued, so somebody might have missed it,” said Kazembe.

The STMS operates with number plate recognition, with cameras capturing the vehicle registration details of traffic offenders’ vehicles, who will be notified of the fine and the offence.

The system has been viewed as a panacea to end traffic lawlessness, especially in Harare, where motorists disregard road rules.

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Member of Parliament Ropafadzo Makumire called for the system to be perfected before the ZRP issues fines to offenders.

“I think they should start by perfecting this system because this system is robbing people. It is very good that the Minister has come up with a very brilliant idea, but you should perfect it because these cameras are sending us pictures that are not consistent with the crimes that they are attributing to us.

“You should perfect the system; then it starts operating when we are satisfied that it is working properly. For now, I think you should tell us that it is a pilot project,” said Makumire.

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