A Kafue Resident has charged that charging toll fees without offering alternative roads is violation of the Freedom of Movement.
William Chilufya has since appealed to government to provide alternative roads saying putting up toll gates without alternative roads is a violation of the Freedom of Movement enriched in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article number 13 which states that “Everyone has the Right to Freedom of Movement.”
Mr Chilufya said Kafue motorists are now rationalising their entrance into Lusaka as it has become more expensive following the commissioning of Shimabala Toll Gate.
“Who decided that K40 per day is a small amount? You have to think twice before you buy a fruit for your children because of competing demands from toll fees. I imagine what would happen the day someone in an emergency situation without toll gate fee would pass by,” said Mr. Chilufya on behalf of Kafue residents.
“I recognise and commend the National Road Fund Agency’s initiative of coming up with some relief such us the frequent user (K5) amount which you qualify after paying K200 (crossing 10 times) – which is not a small amount. Also the toll gate neighbour relief of K2, which the mainstream Kafue residents will not benefit as they are outside the 10KMs threshold,” he said.
He added, “As a resident of Kafue I feel disconnected from Lusaka as a result of high toll gate fees at Shimabala.”
“It is very clear that the toll gates around the country without alternative roads is a violation of the Freedom of Movement. Placing the toll fees at such amounts on public roads borders on infringing freedom of movement,” he said.
Mr Chilufya said Government should continue to seek alternative means of raising funds to improve public infrastructure saying already people are paying road tax and other charges for using the roads.
“The public has a right to freedom of movement along public roads, and this right can’t be extinguished by high toll fees and lack of alternative roads,” he said.
why complain we told you to elect better president
Mr Chilufya, this is NOTHING! You are complaining about K40? Lungus foreign trips like the one to New York with a chartered aeroplane cost $300,000.
Now that the $10 billion of kaloba has been chewed by PF and government coffers are so empty your little K40 will not even pay for the interest on the kaloba.
This is just the beginning. Zesco is going to raise prices by 75%. So then the toll plazas will say they need more money for that! Very soon you will be paying K400, and even that will not be enough to pay for all the PF Ministers salaries and allowances.
Forget about more money in your pocket. Soon when you get to a toll plazza they will just say — EMPTY YOUR POCKETS !!!!!!!
That’s Zambia will never develop because of having people who want everything to be free. Toll are used in developed countries like the US and South Africa and so many other countries. Come on guys let’s be real. You all want to move to the US but we’re not willing to develop our own
@Kateule. There a reason why you will find tollgates in some states in the USA and not in others. Think bane, think.
Lungu’s tax regime is highly toxic to tje citizenry. Cry my beloved country!
Who is their area MP? You complain to him/her and stop electing dunderheads to Parliament….I have said this and I say this again a toll road, is not solely for just revenue generating…its an alternative shortcut. This is a govt of empty tins who needs educating go to Europe and see how these roads are utilized.
@1plus1. So you mean there’s no reason for toll in Zambia?
We told not to elect PF dunderheads ,duh .Our heavy burden of PF induced debt has gotta be paid.
He wants to see a medical specialist he was referred to at UTH. He is a lecturer at UNZA. He wants to renew his passport. He wants to buy spares for his tractor. He is attending a party in Chelston. He wants to negotiate a rental agreement on his unit in Woodlands. His son is a student at ZCAS. Can you feel him now, boy?
For Kafue, toll gate to north (Shimabala) and toll gate to the south at Kafue bridge. Who hates Kafue so much?
IT IS THE GATEWAY TO SOUTHERN PROVINCE. THAT S WHY THAT TOLL GATE. THE PF S WAY OF PAY BACK.
If you cannot pay use public services buses or Shift to Chibolya compound or John Leng. Lusaka CBD is too congested for everyone to be using his own car. Kafue has everything you need. Why do you want in Lusaka?
The man has a balanced complaint but he should also understand the majority of road users are making money by virtue of them using the roads. Not all road users drive to take their kids to school, most road users ferry goods and people for commercial purposes. Those that use the roads say specifically to take their kids to school or to take someone to hospital then the RDA must comeup with a user friendly approach that won’t see them being disadvantaged. But the real problem is the traffic police who are still mounting random (ATM) roadblocks when they were instructed not to. One stop by Traffic cops can cost you K2000 if they want to squeeze you.
TOO EXPENSIVE FOR THE AVERAGE ZAMBIAN.
Mr Chilufya is right. I’ve always said that toll roads are not compulsory but a privilege. Therefore, before coming up with a toll gate on any road the first thing is to make an alternative road.When I speak like this definitely I attract UMWANA ASHENDA. Toll roads are good but give us alternative roads from taxes.
In other countries, tollgates are used to decongest busy roads by redirecting traffic to back roads.
We need money to maintain our roads. If u cant afford the toll fees jump on a bus. Us Zambians are a problem. He is even crying that wen u need tomatoes u pay K40. Y must someone travel a long distance for such small things he can get within Kafue. Let this guy sit down. From his tone these are the pipo causing traffic congestion unnecessarily. We will need money to build those alternative roads u are proposing for u to use to avoid paying K20. Do u think this will b a wise Mr Complainant????
Why are we paying road tax ?
Monies realized from toll gates will just be abused by these dunderheads in PF. only a fraction will go to the maintenance of roads, the rest will be for Edgar and his tandem of thieves. The subsidy removed on fuel not too long ago is not even talked today after assuring people that the saving will go along way in providing essential services. if you are a PF cadre you will say “NO” but you like it or not this is exactly what will happen. mark my words.
Genuine issue! Let you not be discouraged by half empty people like bwachi… True indeed alternative roads re needed…
If PF Don’t get IMF loan , walking tax and air tax to be introduced.
Tolls are good, but there’s road tax and fuel levy all for roads.This is overtaxing citizens., K10 was fine but K20 too much.
i was waiting for someone to mention fuel levy.
thanks @truth seeker.
that levy was introduced in order to raise money for maintenance of roads in the absence of toll gates, so we were told.
now that we have toll gates, why do we have to pay the fuel levy as well?
please scrap that levy and look elsewhere for fund raising.
lets be capable and not culpable……
The problem I find with some people is ignorance and blind support.Yes Mature fuel levy was for maintanance of roads.Zambia Railways have been on record to ask for refund because their locomotives do not use roads.Its double taxation to charge tolls to go to same road. The cost on a trip to and from Kafue on a fuel efficient car is increased by 30% or so ,its too high the cost will be transfered to passengers.K20 for a small car is way too much.
Tolls are good, but there’s road tax and fuel levy all for roads.This is overtaxing citizens., K10 was fine but K20 too much.
MY FRIEND THAT’S THE IDEA OF TOLL GATES OR TOLL BRIDGES. TO REGULATE AND CONTROL MOVEMENTS OF PEOPLE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THE GOVERNMENT RAISES MONEY FOR THE COUNTRY’S ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNICATION. DRIVING JUST FOR THE SAKE OF GOING TO SEE PROSTITUTES WHILE YOU ARE MARRIED AND HAVE CHILDREN WILL BE ELIMINATED. BY DRIVING FREELY ON ZAMBIA’S ROADS PRODUCTIVE AND EXPORTING COUNTRIES SUCH AS SOUTH AFRICA THAT EXPORTS AS FAR AS DR CONGO, ARE MAKING TREBBLE THE PROFITS ON ZAMBIA’S ROAD WHILE GREATLY REDUCING THE ROADS’ LIFE SPUNS WITHOUT PAYING FOR SUCH LIFE SPUN REDUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF ROADS. LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE AND THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, BADALA.
@Peter NO common sense:
As usual you are just talking SH.IT like any other PF mongrel! I drive from London to Manchester and I pay no TOLLS on the first class motor ways – just Road Tax is enough!! Extorting K20 from impoverished drivers is NOT the way to go and is definitely unsustainable in the long term!!
Peter Badala. Think out of the box. No one argues against tolls. South Africa has alternative roads. Kafue depends in Lusaka for survival a lot of kafue residents re working in Lusaka. U need to have a broader picture bra!
ZAMBIA IS UST DEVELOPING. ALL THOSE ALTERNATIVES WILL COME IN LATER TO SERVE THE POOR. FIRST THINGS FIRST. I TOTALLY, AGREE WITH YOUR OBSERVATION(S). BUT, SOME PROBLEMS OR ADVANTAGES CAN NEVER BE KNOWN IN THE VACUUM (OR IN THEORY) UNTIL SOMETHING PRACTICAL HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED. LATER, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE ADJUSTMENTS THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION OF OTHER RELIEF (so to say) ROADS. IN ANY CASE TOLL ROADS AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS SHOULD MAKE KAFUE DEVELOP INTO A CITY QUICKLY TO DEFEAT THE RELIANCE OF PEOPLE AND SOME BUSINESSES ON LUSAKA. TO Bs/Rs ARE FOR DEVELOPMENTS- MIND YOU. PROPERLY AND STRATEGICALLY DEVELOPED, ORDINARY PEOPLE AND TOWNS SHOULDN’T BE RELYING ON CITIES. THAT IS THE MEANING OF DECENTRALISATION, IF YOU DID NOT KNOW. THERE ARE PEOPLE IN ENGLAND WHO LIVE IN KENT COUNTY BUT HAVE…
@12 “…BROADER PICTURE”? WHEN I WHEN I WRITE OR SHARE- I HAVE CONSIDERED ALMOST EVERYTHING. WHENEVER INTENDING TO CROSS THE QUEEN ELIZABETH BRIDGE IN DATFORD THE DRIVING PUBLIC HERE THINK TWICE ABOUT THE NECESITY OF THE JOURNEY. THAT RESPONSIBLE THINKING HAVE BEEN CULTIVATED HERE. BUT, AS I SAID- WE ARE JUST DEVELOPING. IT TOOK EVEN BY FAR MUCH LONGER FOR DEVELOPED COUNTRIES TO PUT MOST OF THE BENEFICIAL THINGS IN PLACE. BECAUSE, MOST OF THE THINGS ARE NEVER APPARENT UNTIL A TRIGGER IS PUT IN PLACE. BUT, I APPRECIATE AND THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING UP MY CONTRIBUTIONS. HAVE A GOOD DAY.
TOLL BRIDGES/ROADS ARE NOT A NEW THING. TOLL BRIDGES/ROADS ARE EVERYWHERE AND MORE IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES SUCH AS UK. THEY RAISE MONEY FOR MAINTENANCE OF ROADS AND RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME TOLL BRIDGES/ROADS RAISE FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TOTALLY NEW ROADS AND COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE. TOLL ROADS CREATE DIRECT AND INDIRECT JOBS. DIRECT JOBS ARE IN THE MANNING AND MAINTENANCE OF TOLL FACILILITIES WHICH ARE GATES AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT. OTHER JOBS ARE RELATED TO EFFICIENT LOGISTICS, FARMING, TOURISM, MANUFACTURING AND FOOD PROCESSING, COMMERCE. ALL THESE MASHROOM DUE TO GOOD STRATEGIC ROADS AND SERVICES. TOLL BRIDGES/ROADS ARE A GOOD THING. THINK BEYOND JUST DRIVING TO GO AND COMMIT ADULTERY TO EXTRA MARITAL GIRL FRIEND.
Peter, you are lying – there are NO tolls on ALL motor ways! Very very few motorways have tolls BUT then there are so MANY toll free alternative roads and motor ways! STOP telling fibs you monkey look alike! Ar.sewhore!
I agree with Mr Chilufya. Toll fees are becoming a pain in the neck as toll gates are all over. I drove to Chingwe last weekend only to find a toll gate under construction just about 10km after airport round about. Citizens especially the poor need alternative roads rather than be sent back when they fail to produce the required cash. Government is killing us with all these taxes. Keep on the good fight and speak for the poor Zambians!
In Zimbabwe, it’s $1 for small cars/sedans/vans and the economy is not too well compared to the Zambian economy.
Zambians always wanting sh++t for free…work mann.!!
Peter Badala. Think out of the box. Not always you have to be a cadre. Let’s look at development with open eyes my brother. No one argues against tolls. South Africa has alternative roads. Kafue depends on Lusaka for survival a lot of kafue residents re working from Lusaka. U need to have a broader picture bra!
Why not use Zambia Railways or Public Service Buses or Just shift to Chilanga or Chibolya?
All Toll Gate Planners are clearly inept as they have placed all Zambians into one basket while there are many Zambians with very needy pockets. They have no money, and for the RDA fellows to enact Toll Gates without providing alternatives is basically stupid and empty-headed. All countries with Toll Gates have alternative routes, though very long and in some cases, they pass through farms, but they are state roads. Zambia should have investigated fully how most countries have planned and implemented Toll Gates before rushing into financially brutalizing citizens through shot-gun solutions to public theft of funds in the road sector by these disguise thieves as Engineers and managers!
Nobody wants things for free.We are sresdy paying unreasonable taxes.Importing a car from Japan taxes are approximately 133%.Then road taxes, then expensive fuel with high tax component.What rumor has is that fuel levy is used for something else not road development.Also the increase in tolls is 100%,unreasonable increases, unreasonable customs on old cars,everything unreasonable. Mr Sata was champion of lower taxes not getting water from a stone.
Well the PF said they were pro-poor and indeed they are proving that they are pro poor because their policies are promoting poor living conditions. Infact they are promoting the development of more poor people. Even in other countries like south africa one has a choice whether to use quicker toll roads or not pay and suffer by increased time travel. meanwhile in zambia they increase the fuel costs and also now you have no option but to pay to use roads of which you already pay tax for kikikiki hope you have learned a lesson those of you that voted PF.
K40 is way too much. If I see a pothole on the road I will sue
K40 is just US$4 Its not expensive for someone who owns a CAR , we need more tolls say every 10km along the same road to put more money in PF POCKETS
These are the dangers of having people without brains as leaders. They do little or no consultation at all before making decisions. Toll fees should not be mandatory. There should be alternative routes.Moreover I fail to understand why we are being charged for useless roads. Just after paying a toll fee, less than 2 seconds of driving, you hit a gravel road. what the hell are you charging for? Chitotela ba no call lee who lay.
At whose cost are the alternative roads going to be constructed? come out of the cocoon, when you go to Europe or South Africa you ask for alternative toll roads. You are the first to take out money to pay, but in your own country you are are talking of freedom of movement. you can pave a bush road around the tollgate.
At whose cost are the alternative roads going to be constructed? come out of the cocoon, when you go to Europe or South Africa you ask for alternative toll roads. You are the first to take out money to pay, but in your own country you are are talking of freedom of movement. you can pave a bush road around the tollgate.
at who’s cost where the same roads and toll gates? It’s called planning. Human beings excercise free will. We are not animals. You just don’t wake up and impose rules on people. Make alternative routes before you start charging people.
More main to the people who voted him than who did not sorry brother start using public transport
More pain to come people who voted him than who did not sorry brother start using public transport or use a motor bike like me and use short cut in the bush. ask I’ll show you or you can use a canoe
The government has to raise money to fund development projects and to sustain services the public needs but this one on tolls was not well thought out when what motorists have to travel between points A and B is an only route! There is a lot of misinformation by those who make reference to road tolls in say the USA and other countries with a well developed road network! In the US tolls are placed on express ways for those wishing to travel quickly and avoiding congestion of slow moving traffic on alternative roads leading to the same place! Zambia is not providing any alternative roads thus one has no choice of road if traveling from Chilanga to Chirundu/Mazabuka junction! The best would have been to peg the toll charges between one and five Kwacha according to size of vehicle!