An investigation into the causes of corruption in the ZRP Traffic Section. A case of Harare Central Traffic section.

Author
Mashushire, Arther
Title
An investigation into the causes of corruption in the ZRP Traffic Section. A case of Harare Central Traffic section.
Abstract
This study investigates the underlying causes, forms, and effects of corruption within the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Traffic Section, focusing specifically on the Harare Central Traffic Station. Despite the establishment of anti-corruption laws such as the Prevention of Corruption Act [Chapter 9:16], internal disciplinary frameworks, and the operations of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), traffic enforcement corruption continues to rise. This persistent issue has far-reaching consequences for public trust in law enforcement and the overall effectiveness of traffic safety management in Zimbabwe. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining both qualitative and quantitative techniques to gather comprehensive data from diverse stakeholders. A total of 160 participants were sampled, including 50 police officers, 100 community members, and 10 key informants drawn from anti-corruption bodies and road safety agencies. Data was collected through structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis of police reports and public audit records. Key findings reveal that corruption in traffic enforcement takes various forms such as bribery, selective law enforcement, and abuse of authority. The primary drivers include poor remuneration, weak accountability mechanisms, lack of transparency, and political interference. Furthermore, the study highlights that corruption negatively affects road safety outcomes and severely undermines public confidence in the police. Challenges faced in addressing corruption include insufficient institutional capacity, fear of retaliation among whistleblowers, and inadequate funding for oversight initiatives. The study recommends policy-driven reforms including improved remuneration packages for officers, digitization of traffic enforcement systems, establishment of independent internal oversight units, and public corruption reporting platforms. These strategies must align with national anti-corruption frameworks and be supported by sustained political will if meaningful change is to be realized.
Date
June 2025
Publisher
BUSE
Keywords
corruption in the
ZRP
Traffic Section
Supervisor
N/A
Item sets
Department of Intelligence and Security Studies
Media
Mashushire, Arther.pdf

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