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Police have intensified a crackdown on traffic law offenders, targeting 20,000 motorists in Harare and Bulawayo for violating traffic light regulations, following the rollout of an electronic traffic management system.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) says it will be releasing the names of vehicles linked to these infractions in batches. Already, a list of nearly 300 vehicles has been made public, but only 95 motorists have responded to the call to face the law.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi expressed disappointment at the low rate of voluntary compliance and confirmed the deployment of specialised crack teams to pursue the offenders.
“It is disturbing that only 95 motorists came forward for the law to take its course,” he said. “We have set up crack teams to track and follow up on the errant motorists throughout the country. The police will effect arrests and impound offending vehicles.”
In Harare, the campaign has extended to publishing the names of individuals and companies implicated in the violations. Meanwhile, in Bulawayo, authorities are currently focused on collecting vehicle registration data, with system upgrades underway to improve enforcement capacity.
The high-tech surveillance system, part of a US$80 million public-private partnership between the Zimbabwean government and Vitronic Machine Vision Middle East, is designed to enhance traffic law enforcement and road safety. Cameras and sensors at key intersections capture data on traffic offences, including red light violations, speeding, and reckless driving.
Commissioner Nyathi said the system has documented at least 20,000 violations since its implementation, underscoring the scale of the problem.
As part of the operation, police will be releasing regular updates on the names and registration numbers of vehicles involved in infractions. Offenders are being urged to present themselves at the nearest police station or contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp 0712 800 197.
“This initiative is a serious warning that no motorist is above the law. We are determined to ensure road safety and compliance without fear or favour,” said Comm Nyathi.
Authorities say the campaign is part of a broader strategy to reduce road traffic accidents, which have been on the rise. The use of advanced monitoring technology, they believe, will play a critical role in ensuring accountability and deterring future violations.
As enforcement intensifies, motorists are encouraged to adhere strictly to traffic regulations to avoid penalties, vehicle impoundments, or arrests.
