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Fighting traffic police bribery tough - Kombe
2008-03-22 10:10:30
By Nasser Kigwangallah
The Traffic Police Division is finding it hard to stamp out corruption among its ranks and is now appealing for help from both the wananchi and public watchdogs.
This was said in Dar es Salaam by the commanding officer of the traffic police department, James Kombe, in an exclusive interview with The Guardian.
His admission comes hardly a year since President Jakaya Kikwete ordered traffic policemen not to `negotiate` with culprits on streets or scenes of accidents.
Kikwete issued the directive when addressing members of the Police Force in Dar es Salaam.
``Corruption is a matter of serious concern in the Traffic Division. For that reason, exceptional cooperation and concerted efforts are needed to battle the menace,`` he said.
He described bribery as a national cancer affecting the Police Force as well as other public sectors.
``The Traffic Police Department on its own cannot halt corrupt acts undertaken by its officers alongside the roads. It needs full and exceptional cooperation of civil societies, politicians, journalists, and other stakeholders—from the top down to the grassroots level.``
He said: ``Fighting corruption is a progressive process. It must be waged by everybody at all levels.``
The traffic police chief appealed to members of the public to report corruption incidents involving some unfaithful traffic police officers posted in various work stations.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that some traffic police officers involved in the malpractices have accumulated ill-gotten wealth through illegal channels.
Nevertheless, Kombe said serious steps had already been taken to curb the vice.
He said the measures included summary dismissal, although reports on the ground showed that corruption increasingly remained a common phenomenon among traffic police officers.
``I request the wananchi to cooperate by submitting specific information on traffic officers who solicit bribes and other such elements,`` he said.
Home Affairs Minister, Laurence Masha, when contacted, said in another interview that his ministry and police force had already formed special units to investigate corruption and suspicious behaviuor among members of the traffic police.
``These two units are working on similar issues, including following up public complaints directed towards the force. They were established, basically, as part of the government`s resolve to end corruption in the force,`` said Masha, in an exclusive interview with the The Guardian.
He said the Home Affairs ministry, in collaboration with the Police Force, was working on comprehensive and long-term plans to eliminate corruption among traffic police officers.
However, he said that discussions between motorists and traffic police officers alongside the roads did not necessarily mean that bribes were being solicited.
``It is the duty of traffic officers to oversee movements of vehicles plying the roads. In the course of executing their duties, they have to talk to the drivers, ask them some questions on licenses and other relevant documents. It`s totally wrong to think that all negotiations perpetuate corruption,`` said Masha.
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