Never again, Zimbabwe

I recently drove from Joburg to Kariba in Zimbabwe for a stay on a houseboat. The plan was to drive to Musina and spend the night there, then hit the border before a six- or seven-hour drive to Harare.

The border crossing, where the police and customs checked my vehicle and papers, was relatively painless — some 20 minutes on the SA side and 90 on the Zimbabwean.

We hit our first roadblock outside Beitbridge. We were asked to provide our TIP (Temporary Import Permit) and waved through. Then followed a further 10 roadblocks over 570km, where at every one someone attempted to impose a “spot fine” ranging from $10 to $18. It became apparent very quickly that foreign vehicles were being targeted.

Apparently, one needs red and white reflective stickers, a set of yellow triangles, a fire extinguisher and a reflective jacket. One of the passengers on the houseboat with me was charged $150 for not having fire equipment. He paid more than $300 en route from Beitbridge to Harare. In all circumstances he was told these were spot fines and he did not get a citation or a receipt.

As you can imagine, the stopping and starting and arguing at each roadblock took their toll. What should have been a pleasant drive turned into a 10-hour nightmare.

The following day we faced the same gauntlet on our way to Kariba, even though we had by then acquired all the “necessary“items. We were still stopped and subjected to demands for fines for bogus infringements.

Our time spent on the lake was magnificent. However, it is a pity that the Zimbabwean government is so short-sighted in respect of visitors. I, for one, would rather spend my tourist dollars in Namibia, Botswana or Zambia, which have the same gorgeous Africa to offer without the extortion. — Bill Ward, Johannesburg