The Central Vehicle Registration (CVR) has been hit by massive corruption by top officials in an unwarranted knee-jerk reaction to the acute shortage of registration plates, Zim Morning Post has learnt.
Zim Morning Post understands that officials at the CVR are demanding kickbacks to issue the small number of registration plates at their disposal.
“The shortage of number plates has resulted in CVR officials demanding kickbacks to fast track issuance of the plates,” said our source.
The shortage started in October last year as a result of government failing to secure enough foreign currency to purchase the special plate-making metal from Germany coupled with a late delivery of an already paid for batch of blank plates.
As a result of this crisis, in February this year, government introduced a new policy which states that all vehicles changing ownership should maintain current plates, what only changes is the new registration book with details of the new owner.
This functionality has been enabled in the system.
The motorist pays ZWD$15 and get a registration book only with new owner details.
The number plates and third plates remain the same and no plates will be surrendered.
All other requirements remain unchanged.
CVR is also issuing temporary number plates and only the elite and those politically connected have access to the metal registration plate.
“This is a serious issue which needs to be addressed as soon as possible and government should investigate.
“Some people come with letters from ministers or well-known politicians and have access to the number plates which is disheartening,” revealed our source.
“CVR is a public institution which is supposed to benefit everyone but the situation there has made our lives miserable” said one customer who has been trying to get a registration plate since February .
Some motorists suggested that government adopt the use of plastic registration plates and avoid importing the plate-making metal from Germany.
Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) Director Johannes Pedzapasi was not reachable for comment at the time of writing.
