All the planning has been done and the time has come to test it. Packing is
always stressful as last minute work has to be squeezed in and focus is lost,
but thanks to the lists we managed.
For years I have avoided traveling through Zimbabwe because of the stories I have heard about crooked cops putting you in a position that you have to give them a bribe. We have always made a point of going around Zim wherever possible . Well, we could double what we heard and it will be more like it. About 200m through the border we thought we were being stopped by a cop but the guy was actually trying to sell reflective vests. The cops were another 100m further and wanted US $20 for us stopping in a no stopping zone. We couldn't see any signs and the road markings must have worn away 20 years ago. It was just a rigged and a way of stealing from nervous travellers. After a long negotiation we were let off. Within the next 100kms we had our next run in. We drove slowly through a 60km/hr area and debated whether we were through as there was nothing there. As we sped up two excited cops sprinted out into the road. We were doing about 80 and they reckoned we were doing 91. No Landy can speed up that fast. We were told we were to appear in court as I was over the fine limit . As it was Friday after lunch, that would only be possible on Monday. Their solution was to give them R3000 and the problem will go away. There was no chance of 3 grand going to them. After a lengthy discussion I was asked to make an offer. I told them $20 and settled on 30. As most of my friends will know, I am highly critical of bribing. The problem here is that the alternative is unacceptable. The next day we had another problem where there were signs reducing speed before a toll gate and nothing afterwards. As it wasn't a built up area I sped up to 80 and got nailed again. This time $20 cash. The guys we had met up with overtook a car where there were no lines and the cops were standing there. Another $20 for the cops. What really gets me is that the signage is so bad and the cops strategically placed to take advantage of it. The objective is not road safety but to make money. Sadly for the government the cops get a lot of the revenue but when they don't play fair, who cares.
For years I have avoided traveling through Zimbabwe because of the stories I have heard about crooked cops putting you in a position that you have to give them a bribe. We have always made a point of going around Zim wherever possible . Well, we could double what we heard and it will be more like it. About 200m through the border we thought we were being stopped by a cop but the guy was actually trying to sell reflective vests. The cops were another 100m further and wanted US $20 for us stopping in a no stopping zone. We couldn't see any signs and the road markings must have worn away 20 years ago. It was just a rigged and a way of stealing from nervous travellers. After a long negotiation we were let off. Within the next 100kms we had our next run in. We drove slowly through a 60km/hr area and debated whether we were through as there was nothing there. As we sped up two excited cops sprinted out into the road. We were doing about 80 and they reckoned we were doing 91. No Landy can speed up that fast. We were told we were to appear in court as I was over the fine limit . As it was Friday after lunch, that would only be possible on Monday. Their solution was to give them R3000 and the problem will go away. There was no chance of 3 grand going to them. After a lengthy discussion I was asked to make an offer. I told them $20 and settled on 30. As most of my friends will know, I am highly critical of bribing. The problem here is that the alternative is unacceptable. The next day we had another problem where there were signs reducing speed before a toll gate and nothing afterwards. As it wasn't a built up area I sped up to 80 and got nailed again. This time $20 cash. The guys we had met up with overtook a car where there were no lines and the cops were standing there. Another $20 for the cops. What really gets me is that the signage is so bad and the cops strategically placed to take advantage of it. The objective is not road safety but to make money. Sadly for the government the cops get a lot of the revenue but when they don't play fair, who cares.
Some lessons re-learned:
1. Don't drive in Africa on a Friday afternoon or weekend as if you do
anything wrong they have you over a barrel. Court is on Monday.
2. If you do need to go through Zim, get you 80 year old grandmother to
drive you in her old Nissan Sunny 1400 that can only do 60. It will be less
stressful.
How fantastic it is to see the improvement in the roads. Some are still
shot but there is action and even some being rebuilt. Maybe they will get new
road signs sometime soon.
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