Police officers warned over impounding vehicles for minor offences
Police on Wednesday moved to quell growing public anger over alleged abuses by traffic officers, declaring that no member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has been authorised to impound vehicles for minor traffic violations.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Bulawayo, national police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi said motorists had complained of officers threatening to seize vehicles for not carrying an emergency triangle, not wearing seatbelts or not having a reflective jacket – actions he insisted were unlawful.
“I want to state it categorically: the Commissioner General of police has not authorised police officers to impound vehicles for these issues,” Nyathi said.
“No vehicle will be impounded for not carrying a triangle, for not wearing a safety belt or for not having a reflective jacket.”
Nyathi said provincial commanders had been directed to brief their traffic units to ensure “discipline and flexibility” when enforcing the law.
He warned that action would be taken against officers found straying from official guidelines.
“We want police officers who are disciplined. If they go out of the way, we will certainly take action,” he added.
Nyathi also criticised drivers for failing to familiarise themselves with basic road rules, a lapse he said left them vulnerable to manipulation by rogue officers.
He reminded motorists that ensuring vehicle roadworthiness was their responsibility, not the police’s.
“We will take action against vehicles being driven on the roads with worn-out tyres and those not certified fit,” he said.
Nyathi also defended the ongoing crackdown on mshikashika operators, saying the illegal public transporters were contributing to fatal accidents involving overloaded vehicles.
“People are dying,” he said. “Anyone who wants to operate a public service vehicle must register through the ministry of local government and the ministry of transport.”
He urged passengers to avoid unsafe vehicles, warning that negligence was costing lives.
“Let us not be careless with our lives,” he said. *_-ZimLive_*
