Staff Reporter

The Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) has dismissed as fake a story by the NewsDay that falsely claimed that motorists were being forced to pay toll fees using foreign currency only.

Yesterday, NewsDay published that motorists were stranded at Kadoma tollgate as ZINARA was demanding US dollar payments only. The NewsDay added that a ZINARA supervisor at Kadoma tollgate only identified as Chiraya claimed that they were under strict instructions to take US dollar payments only.

However, ZINARA clarified that it was accepting all forms of payments and had not directed its employees to accept US dollar payments only.

“Kindly note that as ZINARA, we don’t have such a position. Toll fees are payable in both foreign currency and ZWL for all locally registered vehicles. All foreign registered vehicles pay toll fees in foreign currency in terms of S.I 32 of 2021,” said ZINARA.

Social commentator, Ethel Kurehwa urged Alpha Media Holdings editor in chief, Wisdom Mudzungairi to ensure that stories published by the NewsDay were accurate and also a product of thorough research.

“Mudzungairi should descend heavily on his journalists and compel them to produce factual news articles. Of late, NewsDay has been accused of publishing falsehoods and in most cases it has been forced to retract some of its stories. If NewsDay continues publishing falsehoods, it will lose credibility and eventually lose business,” said Kurehwa.

Meanwhile, ZINARA has reviewed its toll fees in local currency. With effect from today, light motor vehicles will now pay ZWL1 300.00, minibuses will pay ZWL1 950, buses will have to pay ZWL2 600, heavy vehicles and haulage trucks will now be paying ZWL 3 250 and ZWL 6 500 respectively.

ZINARA maintained its US dollars toll fees in line with Section 4 of Statutory Instrument 32 of 2021.