Chaos, corruption at CVR

17 September 2020

•  CVR staffers create artificial shortages
•  Motorists frustrated, forced to pay bribes
•  Vehicle impounds, cops’ new way of ‘eating’

Employees at the central vehicle registry (CVR) are deliberately creating chaos and an impression that there are no number plates as a smokescreen to hide underhand dealings, an investigation by Nhau has unearthed.

An insider at CVR (name withheld), told this publication that they have lots of number plates in stock but deliberate bureaucratic tactics were being employed by the leadership so as to frustrate motorists and force them to part with their hard-earned money as a way of speeding things up.
The employee explained that the normal process to get number plates was easy and takes just a few days.
“A client goes to CVR to apply for number plates and the application is checked and stamped by two people. After that the client goes to make a payment of US$80 at the bank where they are given three stamped bank slips as proof of payment, which are attached on the number plate application form,” explained the CVR staffer.
“From there, the client returns the papers to CVR and we wait for 48 hours for proof of payments to be sent through e-mail. Once the statement is received, the papers go for verifications and after that is done, one is allocated the number plates.”
The staffer said the “artificial shortages” created are now benefitting some individuals who abuse their offices making people pay for quick processing of the papers as there are no checks done.
“The whole process is on auto-pilot, the bosses do not even listen to us the subordinates and orders just come from individuals up the ladder on how things should be done without questioning,” said the employee.

A Harare garage operator and transporter Mr Jimmy Hwati told Nhau that there is rampant corruption at CVR, which is frustrating motorists into moving around with unregistered vehicles.
He said the processes involved in acquiring number plates have fuelled corruption.
“Imagine, they (number plates) are being sold for US$80, a price already too high, and on top of that you have to part with a minimum of US$50 to ‘jump the queue’. This system is created by the shelving of documents by CVR employees so as to deliberately delay the process, a situation that makes it expensive to access those plates,” said Mr Hwati.
“We are having difficulties getting plates from the registry. It has been over a month since I paid for my plates but you find people who pay bribes being issued with plates on the same day. The bosses there make silly excuses in order for us to pump out money.
“After applying for the plates at CVR you go and deposit US$80 at CBZ then take the deposit slips back to CVR. When you get to CVR you are then told that your name is not appearing on the confirmation list from the bank yet you would have parted with your money and presented your receipt.”
Those who pay a bribe are treated like kings.
“If you part with US$50 you get your plates there and then. This should stop. It should be first come, first serve. The process is irritating and unfair. Even if you lose a single number plate, you have to part with another US$80 to replace them.”
A runner who makes a living as an agent for clients at CVR said that if you do not have connections at the registry, it is difficult to get the plates as they are turning away individuals.

He said they are charging clients a minimum of US$140 to facilitate easy allocation, a process which takes about three days, although, those who part with more money could get them within 48 hours.

Impounds fuelling corruption
There are allegations that the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), which has arrested scores of its own officers for various offences ranging from bribes to outright extortion, have stumbled on a “new gold mine”.
So far, 11 917 pirate taxis and unregistered vehicles have been impounded countrywide since an operation targeting vehicles without registration number plates or displaying expired temporary plates began.
A woman who identified herself as Mai Mafake, whose car was impounded this week, said the police operation is a mere cash cow for the police who are soliciting for bribes to release the vehicle again.
“The whole process is a circus. People are just parting with a few dollars on the way to the police station before your car is booked and you are free again,” she said.

Efforts to get a comment from national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yielded no results as his phone was not being answered. He had not returned our calls by the time of publication.
However, the police have issued chilling warnings to motorists driving around with unregistered vehicles. They say they have received confirmation from the CVR that the number plates are more than adequate and now cost US$80.
That price, although steep for struggling Zimbabweans, requires a top up of between US$50 US$80 to have the process done faster.
On September 8 the Zimbabwe Republic Police issued a press statement warning the public not to risk getting their vehicles getting impounded by moving around without number plates.

On Tuesday this week the police issued another one stating that the Secretary for Transport formally advised them that there are adequate stocks of number plates but motorists are reluctant to acquire them.
Asst Comm Nyathi also assured the public that the CVR now has adequate permanent registration number plates.
“In this regard police will impound all vehicles moving without number plates. There is no justification for any motorist to drive vehicles on the road without number plates. “Police commanders have been directed to ensure that only vehicles with number plates are allowed passage at roadblocks, check points and other security points,” warned Nyathi.
Nhau also failed to get through to the minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Joel Biggie Matiza whose phones were also ringing without being answered.