Treasury expects ZRP to increase revenue from traffic fines by 90 percent to $59m

A report by the Parliament Budget Office (PBO) shows that the Zimbabwe Republic Police is expected to collect US$59 million in revenue coming from traffic fines this year. This almost double the US$31,47 million target that Treasury set for the police in 2016. According to a report in the Financial Gazette, Treasury raised the 2016 target for ZRP by almost 90 percent. This may also help to explain the increase in the frequency of road blocks and the aggressive nature of the police officers manning these roadblocks.

The breakdown of the expenditure of projected $59,1 million is as follows:

• US$32,17 million on goods and services
• US$18,1 million on maintenance
• US$8,10 million on the acquisition of capital assets

Treasury also expects the ZRP to use US$678 000 to pay for salaries. This is a pittance, as the annual salary bill of the ZRP consumes US$323 million of the total Ministry of Home Affairs 2017 budget allocation of US$364 million.