Staff Reporter
Government has issued a stern warning to vehicle owners, announcing that over 300,000 vehicles are at risk of de-registration after failing to renew their licences for more than two years.
The announcement, made through a Government Gazette, on November 27, 2024, signals an intensified effort to ensure compliance with vehicle registration and licensing laws.
Vehicles exempted from licensing during the same period are also included in the crackdown, with owners given 30 days to regularize their status.
The notice, issued under the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act, stated: “The Registrar of Vehicles intends to cancel the registration of vehicles not licensed and exempted for a period exceeding two years.”
De-registration comes with severe consequences, stripping a vehicle of its legal ownership title and rendering it valueless until the owner clears outstanding arrears and penalties.
Re-registration is a multi-step process involving the settlement of dues with the Central Vehicle Registry (CRV) or Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA), obtaining import clearance from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), and undergoing inspections by the Vehicle Theft Squad and Vehicle Inspection Department (VID).
This initiative comes on the heels of a nationwide campaign targeting unlicensed vehicles, many of which have been linked to criminal activities such as armed robberies and road safety violations.
Some vehicles affected by this latest move have been unlicensed since as far back as 2013.
Government has a history of targeting non-compliant vehicles, including a similar operation last year which resulted in the impounding of over 2 800 vehicles.
Violations included unregistered vehicles, unlicensed operators, and suspected underpayment of import duties.
Pirate taxis, known as mushikashika, and unregistered kombis also featured prominently in the violations.
The ongoing efforts involve multiple agencies, including the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, ZINARA, VID, ZIMRA, and local councils, working together to restore order on the nation’s roads.
Government is urging vehicle owners to act swiftly to avoid losing their vehicles’ legal status.
Clearing arrears and re-registering vehicles are seen as critical steps toward compliance with road safety regulations.
