I suffered insult and humiliation at the hands of Traffic Police Officers. I was joining a busy road and the traffic lights had given me way to join and so I did. Unfortunately the junction was jammed. A Traffic Police Officer then appeared out of nowhere stating that I had contravened. He forced me to enter the Police premises also known as ku wire. Knowing well that I had done no wrong, I confronted him and he had nothing to say but utter some insults against me. I drove out of the Police Station feeling very disappointed and hurt. The Officer was obviously intoxicated to some extent. I can only imagine what other abuse I would have suffered had I not known my rights (and the highway code).

My bigger disappointment is the fact that we would have Traffic Officers way-laying and ambushing road users instead of controlling traffic, and then to add insults to the injury. Do these Officers realise that they are paid from our taxes? The situation I encountered was indicative of a failed system where leadership is weak, unconcerned and or equally corrupt.

Corruption to me does not only constitute giving or taking of bribes; it takes the shape and form of any unprofessional and immoral conduct performed by those employed to uphold a particular ethic.

#abashpoliceintimidation #knowyourrights

Lusaka Province