Source: Police blitz nets 4 600 vehicles – herald
Herald Reporter
AT least 4 588 vehicles without registration number plates or illegally fitted with sirens, blue lights, bar lights and beacons, have so far been impounded by police following a countrywide operation launched last week.
The police blitz, which began last Monday, targets all categories of vehicles — private cars, company fleets, Government vehicles and public service vehicles — operating without number plates or carrying unauthorised emergency fittings.
In an interview, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the figures and said there was no going back on the operation.
He urged motorists to comply with the police during the ongoing crackdown.
Comm Nyathi also dismissed as false some reports circulating on social media that police were targeting tourists.
“The ZRP has noted with concern false information circulating on social media on tourists’ vehicle movement and the use of rooftop tents or roof racks. The ZRP makes it categorically clear that no tourist vehicles are being impounded in Zimbabwe for using rooftop tents or roof racks. The false information is dismissed with the contempt it deserves,” he said.
“For the record, any tourist who needs clarity should feel free to contact any nearest Police Station or the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800197. The ZRP has also engaged Zimbabwe Tourism Authority over these false messages,” he added.
The operation follows a rise in criminal activities where motorists deliberately remove registration plates to evade identification.
According to police, such vehicles have been linked to armed robberies, kidnapping, hit-and-run accidents and traffic violations, including driving against the flow of traffic, ignoring red traffic lights, and lane violations.
Comm Nyathi recently said the police force had noted with concern the increasing trend of motorists removing number plates to commit crimes and evade justice.
Public service vehicles, he added, were also removing plates to avoid follow-ups on traffic offences and, in some cases, had been involved in causing accidents.
Comm Nyathi explained the ban on the unauthorised fitting of sirens and lights reserved for emergency vehicles.
“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. Above all, the use of bar lights has also been noted to disturb the vision of other motorists at night, thereby endangering road users,” he said.
Police have made it clear that unregistered vehicles will be impounded immediately and will only be released after proper registration processes have been completed and number plates affixed.
“All illegal sirens, blue lights, bar lights, beacons and related gadgets will be removed on the spot with no excuses being entertained by the Zimbabwe Republic Police,” Comm Nyathi said.
The crackdown is being conducted under the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act, which requires all vehicles on public roads to be registered.
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