Cross-border transporters serving the Copperbelt line through Zambia have been cautioned to be vigilant of attempted extortion by law enforcement officials in the vicinity of Livingstone.
In the latest incident, a driver on his way north was stopped at a checkpoint and told that his road freight permit was not valid for the route he was on.
Mike Fitzmaurice, chief executive of the Transit Assistance Bureau (Transist), said long-distance drivers did not need specific permits for certain routes.
He said it was not the first time that a law enforcement official in Zambia had stopped a Copperbelt driver, and that it was usually in the same area.
“We’ve seen it all before, and mostly it involves bribery.”
He said here was no regulation in Zambia that stipulated the issuing and use of certain permits for certain routes.
“Permits are valid for all main roads and border posts.”
On Sunday, the driver immediately contacted his employer who in turn notified Transist.
Fitzmaurice said he had contacted the relevant officials in Zambia who had given their assurance that the driver could continue on his journey without any further delay.
He said it was another reason why overborder hauliers should comply with the necessary road freight regulations set down by Zambia, a cross-border supply chain destination itself as well as transit country for operators serving mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“If you’re shown to comply with what’s required to work as a transporter in countries such as Zambia, and you have access to private-sector intervention (such as Transist), drivers don’t have to be intimidated by unscrupulous officials.”
