By John Chimunhu.
Zimbabwe. (News of The South) – High Court Judge Joseph Mafusire has ruled that Transport Minister Obert Mpofu was within his rights when he ordered road toll fees increased on Friday.
Mafusire was delivering judgement on an urgent application by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), who wanted the fee increases reversed.
Reading the judgement on behalf of Mafusire, Judge Francis Bere said it was the minister’s preroragative to decide how road administration, including tolling, rehabilitation and construction were done.
Mpofu doubled fees for light vehicles from $1 to $2 and haulage trucks from $5 to $10, sparking an uproar among consumers.
Mafusire said the ZLHR challenge, asking the court to set aside Statutory Instrument 106/14 which effected the increases, lacked merit.
In their application, the lawyers argued that the fees were unreasonable, punitive and exorbitant considering the country’s underperforming economy. They also said the minister did not consult motorists before effecting the increases.
Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara)’s lawyer Farai Mutamangira welcomed the judgement.
ZLHR’s Joshua Shekede said they would be bound by the judgement although they were not happy with it.
Transporters have said they will increase fares in response to the toll fee hike.
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