Zimbabwean police have intensified their crackdown on unregistered vehicles, targeting over 300,000 cars whose owners failed to renew licenses for more than two years. Authorities warn that unregistered vehicles often facilitate criminal activities, including armed robberies, and enable rogue operators like pirate taxis to evade accountability.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi emphasized the importance of compliance with road safety laws. “All vehicles moving on the country’s roads must have permanent registration plates. Cars without plates cannot be licensed or insured,” he said, adding that the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act requires ownership changes and licensing to be finalized within two weeks of acquiring a vehicle.
The blitz is part of a broader operation involving multiple stakeholders, including the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, and the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID), aimed at ensuring compliance with licensing and road laws.
According to a Government Gazette released this week, vehicles unlicensed for more than two years face imminent de-registration unless owners regularize their status within 30 days. The notice also extends to vehicles granted licensing exemptions for the same period.
Once de-registered, vehicles lose their legal title and cannot be operated until arrears, penalties, and insurance are paid. Owners must also secure clearance from ZIMRA, the Vehicle Theft Squad, and the VID to re-register their vehicles.
Last year, authorities impounded over 2,800 vehicles during similar operations targeting unregistered cars, illegal operators, and traffic offenders. The Government has since published a list of vehicles facing de-registration, many of which have been unlicensed since 2013.
Authorities maintain that enforcing registration laws is critical to curbing indiscipline and ensuring road safety across the country.
