By CATHERINE NYIRENDA –

CABINET has reversed the decision by the Zambia Police Service to hike road traffic fees and fines following an outcry from members of the public and motorists.
Chief Government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili confirmed yesterday that, Cabinet had directed that road traffic fees and fines should be reverted to the old prices.
Mr Kambwili, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, said  during a media briefing at his office yesterday that, the decision was made during the 23rd Cabinet Meeting held on Monday at the Government Complex where 15 substantive agenda items were discussed.
“Cabinet has directed that road traffic fines and fees be reverted to the old ones, following the outcry from  motorists. A Statutory Instrument will be issued by the Ministry of Justice to this effect,” Mr Kambwili said.
The fees were revised in accordance with the provisions of Statutory Instrument No.41 of July 2015 of the Fees and Fines Act, which increased the value of the Penalty Units from 20 ngwee to 30 ngwee per Penalty Unit.
The revised fines ranged from K225 to K450 for offences which include unlicensed motor vehicles, expired Test certificate and fitness, defective tyres and talking on mobile phones while driving.
Mr Kambwili warned police officers who were in the habit of engaging in corrupt activities by receiving bribes from motorists that, they risked losing their jobs if found wanting.
He appealed to road users to equally help curb corruption by refusing to bribe police officers and instead report them to the relevant authorities.
“Corrupt police officers are destroying the reputation of the Police service and we will deal sternly with any officer that will be found wanting,” he said.
He said Cabinet also directed the Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani to ensure that traffic road blocks were reduced at all costs as they were becoming a nuisance, inconveniencing the general public and were conduits of corruption.
Cabinet also approved the introduction of the reservation scheme under the Citizen Economic Empowerment Act, which would bar foreigners from trading  in poultry, quarry, block making and domestic haulage.
Mr Kambwili said any foreigner who would want to trade in these sections should partner with Zambians who must be the major shareholders in the business.
“Selling of live birds on retail and wholesale must be reserved for citizens, citizen influenced, empowered and owned companies,” he said.
During the same meeting, Cabinet approved the signing and ratification of two agreements with regional bodies and also approved the introduction and tabling of six Bills in Parliament, during the current session.
The two agreements included the signing and ratification of the COMESA-EAC-SADC tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement and the African Charter on Values and principles of public service and administration of the African Union conference of ministers of public servants.
The six Bills that had been approved and to be tabled before Parliament included the amendment of the current National Food and Nutrition Commission Act No. 308 of 1967 as it was outdated, the Customs and Excise amendment Bill which would see the removal of duty on greenhouse and rose seedlings and the revision of duty on importation of motor vehicles, which will see the imposition of a surtax on imported vehicles older than five years.
Others were the introduction of the Insurance premium Bill 2015 to provide for the imposition, payment and collection of an insurance premium levy, the Property Transfer Tax amendment Bill to revise the property tax transfer.
The Bills also included Value Added Tax amendment Bill, the Income tax amendment Bill and the Land amendment Bill.
Mr Kambwili said progress had been made to harmonise and rationalise salaries, pension reforms, job evaluation and re-grading exercise for mainstream civil servants and the judiciary to ensure equal work and payments.
Cabinet also approved that Zambia should host the 42nd ordinary session of the African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) governing council meeting for ministers in February 2016.