3,400 vehicles impounded in ZRP blitz of plate-less cars

Police have impounded more than 3 400 vehicles operating without registration number plates or fitted with illegal emergency equipment following a nationwide enforcement operation launched last week.

The blitz by the Zimbabwe Republic Police began on Monday and targets all classes of vehicles, including private cars, company fleets, government vehicles and public service vehicles found operating in violation of road regulations.

National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said the operation has already resulted in the impounding of 3 478 vehicles across the country.

“The ZRP operation targeting vehicles without registration number plates and those illegally fitted with sirens, blue lights, bar lights, beacons and other unauthorised gadgets has netted 3 478 vehicles,” he said.

“These vehicles are all classes of vehicles, from the cheapest to the most expensive cars. The ZRP operation is targeting all vehicles classified to be breaking the law.”

Nyathi said authorities were concerned that some motorists were deliberately removing registration plates to avoid identification after committing criminal offences.

According to police, such vehicles have been linked to crimes including armed robberies, kidnappings, hit-and-run accidents and serious traffic violations such as driving against traffic, running red lights and lane indiscipline.

Police also noted that some public service vehicles were removing plates to evade accountability for traffic offences, with some later being involved in road accidents.

“Some vehicles are being fitted with illegal sirens, blue lights and bar lights which are reserved for authorised emergency vehicles. This causes chaos on the roads and above all, the use of bar lights has also been noted to disturb the vision of other motorists at night, thereby endangering road users,” Nyathi said.

He warned that all vehicles found operating without registration plates would be impounded immediately and only released once they are properly registered and fitted with lawful plates.

Illegal sirens, blue lights, beacons and related gadgets are also being removed on the spot, police said.

Nyathi urged motorists to cooperate with officers conducting the operation and to follow official police channels for updates.

In Bulawayo, some commuter omnibus operators and pirate taxis — commonly known as mshikashika — have reportedly devised methods to evade law enforcement by partially concealing their registration plates.

At an illegal taxi rank along 6th Avenue, some kombi operators were seen masking sections of their plates with pieces of cardboard in a bid to make identification difficult.

Meanwhile, police in Bulawayo last Wednesday relaunched the Zimbabwe Republic Police Service Charter, reaffirming their commitment to professionalism, accountability and improved service delivery.

Speaking at the provincial launch, Officer Commanding Bulawayo Jasper Chizemo said the charter outlines clear service standards the public should expect when interacting with police.

The provincial event follows the national unveiling of the charter by Stephen Mutamba, the Commissioner-General of Police.

Chizemo said the charter commits police to attending to members of the public within one minute of arrival at police stations, answering telephone calls within three rings and responding to written correspondence within seven days.

“The service charter relaunch embodies our commitment to meeting the service delivery expectations of our clients. Today we reiterate that pledge and promise to serve the people of Bulawayo diligently. It sets minimum service standards that the public is entitled to expect from the police,” he said.

He added that the charter focuses on four key areas — response to calls, crime management, traffic policing, and community assistance and public reassurance.

“No report is too small to be recorded and no complaint will be turned away. Where evidence is established, cases will be presented before the courts without delay so that justice is served,” Chizemo said.

He also revealed that traffic enforcement would increasingly rely on modern technologies such as CCTV systems, road cameras and drones to enhance road safety.

Chizemo said police would maintain visible patrols and community engagement initiatives to ensure residents feel secure.

“Our goal is a city where people feel safe in their homes, workplaces and public spaces,” he said.

Government officials, representatives from the Bulawayo City Council, the business community, neighbourhood watch committees and transport sector stakeholders attended the relaunch event. *_-Bulawayo24_*