High Court judge Joseph Mafusire on Friday reserved judgment in a case in which human rights lawyers are seeking to stop the government from increasing tollgate charges.
Despite the outcome of the court case filed Thursday, the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) started Friday charging motorists the new fees increased by 100 percent at all tollgates countrywide.
Several motorists are complaining that the increases are unjustified, given the poor state of the roads and the current liquidity crunch.
The lawyers are questioning the validity of the government’s move to amend roads regulations to effect tollgate charges.
They say any toll fee increase will affect millions of people in Zimbabwe currently facing serious socio-economic and political challenges.
Motorists are now expected to pay $2 instead of $1.00 at tollgates while buses and others will be charged up to $5.
ZLHR was represented by advocate Lewis Uriri.
The ZINARA says it needs nearly $2 billion to rebuild and maintain the country’s road network.