ZINARA begins enforcing mandatory ZBC radio licences
HARARE – Zimbabwe has begun enforcing a controversial law requiring motorists to obtain a radio licence before renewing vehicle registration or buying car insurance, following the commencement of the Broadcasting Services Amendment Act (No. 2 of 2025).
The law, enacted through Statutory Instrument 73 of 2025, was officially brought into operation on July 15 by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, according to a Government Gazette notice published Tuesday.
“His Excellency the President, in terms of section 1(2) of the Broadcasting Services Amendment Act [Chapter 12:06] (No. 2 of 2025), hereby fixes the 15th of July, 2025, as the date of which the said Act shall come into operation,” the Gazette states.
Motorists are now required to present a valid Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) radio licence – costing US$30 per quarter or US$120 per year – or obtain an exemption certificate if their vehicle has no radio. Without either, they will not be allowed to renew vehicle licences or secure insurance.
The Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) issued an internal circular confirming immediate enforcement.
“In line with the enacted Broadcasting Services Amendment Act, all motorists are now required to obtain a ZBC radio license before they can renew their vehicle insurance or acquire a ZINARA motor vehicle license disc,” reads the July 15 memo from Revenue Operations Director P.M. Shuro.
“Customers whose vehicles are not equipped with a radio receiver are now required to obtain an exemption certificate from the ZBC. They will need to personally visit any ZBC Licensing Office… We cannot process their ZINARA disc or insurance renewal until they present a valid exemption certificate.”
Staff were directed to fully implement the law from July 15, 2025, and refer queries to the Acting Vehicle Licensing Manager.
ZINARA estimates show that while Zimbabwe has 1.2 million vehicles, around 800,000 motorists renew their licences annually. This could potentially generate more than US$73 million per year for the state-run ZBC, which has struggled with funding and relevance in the digital era.
The measure has been met with sharp criticism from ordinary Zimbabweans, who argue it is punitive and meant to prop up a broadcaster they accuse of bias.
Harare motorists who drive imported vehicles from Japan say their radios cannot receive local signals, making the new requirement unfair.
However, the law stipulates that owning a radio receiver alone is sufficient to trigger the obligation to pay, regardless of whether it can access local broadcasts.
ZBC has previously been criticised for enforcing licence fees on motorists with non-functional radios and for its pro-government bias, which has been highlighted in international observer reports on Zimbabwean elections.
