An old ‘ailment’ has resurfaced to hamper hauliers transiting through Zambia on the north-south route serving the Copperbelt – “first-aid kit bribery”.
This morning a cross-border transporter and member of the Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations (Fesarta) said Zambia Police (ZP) were at it again.
He said: “After a lovely respite, the ZP are once again starting the first-aid kit nonsense.”
This is despite the fact that it is not a requirement for heavy goods vehicles to carry such kits; it applies only to buses and other passenger vehicles – a view previously confirmed by Fesarta.
As has been the case in the past, police stop truckers in various locations across Zambia, asking to check that all supposed first-aid requirements are being adhered to.
Truck drivers are warned to look out for extortionist practices in the following places along the north-south route – Mazabuka, Kafue, Chisamba and Kitwe.
As was explained last year, drivers are advised to refer ZP officials to section 17 of Zambia's Road Traffic Act (RTA) where it's clearly stated that the first aid kit requirement is only applicable to vehicles carrying passengers.
Where trucks are equipped with kits, it’s out of the volition of transporters themselves and not because they’re complying with any RTA clause.
Truckers are advised to not accept any ‘fine’ for not having on-board first-aid kits.
