ZIMBABWE CATEGORY 2: REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION Part 1: Request for written information The following questions were sent to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development: 1) What has necessitated the hike in tollgate fees as reported in the media? 2) What does the ministry plan to do in order to curb road accidents that have increased in the country? 3) When will the ministry effect the decision on the ban of kombis as public transport? 4) Why has there been little progress in the rehabilitation of our road network? n = 20 Yes No Additional Information 1. Is there an official designated to take and respond to information requests? (Please state title of officials in ‘Additional Information’) s 2. Did the institution reply within 21 days? (If less than 7 please state in ‘Additional Information’) s 3. Did the Institution respond to a request for information? s 4. Does the authority publish their procedures for dealing with information requests? s 5. Did the institution provide all of the information requested? (If partially please mark ‘No’, indicate in ‘Additional Information’ how much of the information requested was supplied) s 6. Did the institution provide written reasons for the refusal of information? (If information was not refused, please contact institution to find out what the policy is in this regard – if they supply written reasons for refusal mark ‘Yes’) s 7. Did the institution disclose information about its operations, budgets, structure etc. s 8. Did the authority provide information without questioning the aims and motivations of the applicant? s 9. Did the institution acknowledge your request for information within 7 days? s 10. Was the information received clear and understandable? s The website lists direct contact details of all departments that fall under its ambit. There is no designated Public Relations Department Total Score: 0/20 Part 2: Request for oral information Questions as per written requests. The following additional question was asked of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development: 1) How many accidents occurred on Zimbabwean highways in 2013? n = 20 Yes No s 1. Is there an official designated to take and respond to information requests? (Please state title of officials in ‘Additional Information’) 2. Did the institution reply within 21 days? (If less than 7 please state in ‘Additional Information’) s 3. Did the institution respond to your oral request for information? s 4. Did the person dealing with your request have a friendly and helpful attitude? s 5. Did officials provide reasonable advice and assistance when seeking information? s 6. Did the institution provide all of the information requested? (If partially please mark ‘No’, and indicate in ‘Additional Information’ how much of the information requested was supplied) s 7. Did the institution provide written reasons for the refusal of information? (If information was not refused, please contact institution to find out what the policy is in this regard – if they supply written reasons for refusal mark ‘Yes’) 128 Additional Information s No designated Public Relations department, but contact details of specific department heads provided