Online Reporter
Munesu Munodawafa
THE Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) launched the 2024 road safety awareness and enforcement campaign last week, marking the beginning of a comprehensive initiative to improve road safety across the country.
The launch was a collaborative effort involving key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID), the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) and the Road Motor Transportation (RMT) department.
This festive season, the campaign focuses on two critical pillars: awareness and enforcement. The TSCZ is primarily responsible for raising awareness by educating drivers on the importance of road safety.
However, enforcement has taken a more prominent role this year, with multiple regulatory agencies working together to ensure compliance with traffic and safety regulations.
Key agencies and their roles:
Zimbabwe Republic Police
The ZRP is a central enforcement body in the campaign. During the launch, over 50 unroadworthy vehicles were pulled off the roads within two hours, demonstrating the seriousness of the initiative.
ZRP officers are tasked with ensuring that drivers adhere to traffic laws and are prepared to issue penalties for violations.
Vehicle Inspection Department
The VID is conducting thorough inspections of vehicles to ensure they meet roadworthiness standards.
Particular attention is being paid to critical components such as brakes, headlights, indicators and windshield wipers, especially given the rainy season.
Public service vehicles are a primary focus, with any vehicle found to be non-compliant being removed from the roads.
Road Motor Transportation department
The RMT is responsible for verifying the validity of vehicle permits that allow an operator to be on the road, including insurance and timetables.
Vehicles lacking the necessary documentation are issued with tickets, while those with severe compliance issues are taken off the roads. The department ensures that all operators meet regulatory requirements before allowing them to continue their journeys. So, RMT officers will be on the ground and we expect drivers to be carrying their original and valid certificates.
Central Vehicle Registry
The CVR is tasked with verifying the authenticity of driver’s licences and defensive driving certificates.
We have introduced new high-tech scanners that are being used to authenticate these documents and check the validity of insurance papers displayed on vehicles.
This technology streamlines the verification process, ensuring faster and more reliable checks. So, all the four agencies will be at one roadblock, where they will be operating in a coordinated way.
We realised, as the Government, that at times we had these agencies manning different roadblocks at different points and there were concerns that in some instances people were being stopped too many times, hence the decision for the teams to operate as one this year.
Nationwide deployment
The campaign was officially launched in Norton and is expected to be rolled out across all provinces, each of which has similar established operational structures.
A total of 52 teams have been deployed nationwide, made up of 36 static ones and 16 mobile units. The mobile units, comprising police motorcycles and patrol cars, focus on monitoring highways and addressing issues such as overloading.
I think when we launched the campaign, a number of vehicles came through and most were deemed to be overloaded.
In such instances, the passengers were asked to disembark because the law has to be obeyed. In terms of the mobile teams, Harare will have three and we will have one each for the rest of the provinces.
At major bus termini, our teams are inspecting buses for roadworthiness before departure. The issue of overloaded or defective buses is addressed immediately to ensure passenger safety. We, however, appreciate that some bus crews may dodge our inspectors at the main terminus and probably load elsewhere.
These ones will be intercepted by our mobile teams along highways.
The enforcement teams will cover all major highways, with some routes having multiple checkpoints to ensure thorough monitoring.
Some people will encounter two, three, maybe even four checkpoints, depending on which route you are using.
In addition to routine inspections, the VID is focusing on seasonal factors such as ensuring vehicles are equipped for rainy conditions. This includes checks on windshield wipers, headlights and other essential systems.
Public service vehicles are being scrutinised more rigorously to safeguard passengers. I cannot disclose the actual number of static roadblocks we can expect, but I can say at any particular point between any two cities people will pass through a roadblock.
But we are sensitive to avoiding burdening motorists, so they are likely to encounter at least one static roadblock.
They will certainly come across mobile patrols because we have noticed that in some cases drivers tend to overload their vehicles when they are within a certain area beyond the cities. For example, in rural areas, where there are few checkpoints.
However, this time around, there will be checks. We have deployed in those areas as well. The overarching goal of the campaign is to enhance road safety for all.
By emphasising both awareness and enforcement, the initiative seeks to protect drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike.
Non-compliant vehicles face penalties ranging from fines to removal from service.
Giving TSCZ arresting powers
The TSCZ has proposed transforming into an agency with arresting powers to improve its enforcement capabilities.
Currently, the council’s role is limited to raising awareness and providing educational campaigns. Unlike the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), which can issue fines and enforce compliance, the TSCZ lacks the authority to penalise offenders directly.
Neighbouring countries like Zambia and South Africa have road safety agencies with arresting powers, putting Zimbabwe at a disadvantage in regional road safety efforts.
The proposal to grant TSCZ arresting powers has been submitted to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development for consideration.
The council has provided the necessary technical input and the matter now awaits the Government’s decision. If approved, this transformation would align Zimbabwe with regional best practices and strengthen its road safety enforcement mechanisms.
Munesu Munodawafa is the managing director of the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe. He was speaking to The Sunday Mail’s Debra Matabvu.
