Fredrick Moyo
A total of 320 vehicles have been impounded by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Masvingo province following a blitz that began on January 15 2022 targeting plate-less, unregistered and unlicensed vehicles.
Masvingo Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the impounding of a total of 320 vehicles around the province where Masvingo district tops with 101 impounded at ZRP Zimuto, Rujeko, Chikato and Pheonix police stations.
Inspector Dhewa said they embarked on the blitz targeting plate-less, unlicensed and unregistered vehicles following the mayhem they had caused on the country’s roads.
“Following heinous crimes that have been committed by such motorised criminals, the ZRP has embarked on an operation targeting plate-less, unlicensed and unregistered vehicles and as Masvingo we have managed to arrest 320 vehicles which we have impounded at various places across the province.
“Masvingo district alone, we have accounted for 101 vehicles. Some of them are parked at ZRP Zimuto and others are at local police stations such as Chikato, Rujeko and Pheonix,”said Dhewa.
He urged motorists to obtain number plates, license and register their vehicles within 14 days as the blitz is ongoing as well in other districts.
“The operation is ongoing and we want to warn motorists to ensure that their vehicles are registered. We also want to encourage them to ensure that they obtain plates for their vehicles and also register them.
“Motorists should take note that upon acquisition of a motor vehicle, vehicles should be registered within 14 days according to the Act and when a vehicle is not registered within 14 days, it is an offense that attracts a heavy penalty and the owner should face the penalty,” said Dhewa.
He also warned those who are partaking in illegal transport business that the long arm of the law will not spare them, and urged members of the public to board ZUPCO branded buses only as many people are victimised in private transport.
“To those who are into illegal transport business, our warning continues to be that they should stop engaging in illegal transport business as only ZUPCO branded vehicles are allowed to operate and carry out transport business and we also urge passengers to use those ZUPCO tagged buses,”Dhewa said.
ZRP began the blitz as they were deeply concerned with the deliberate disregard of road traffic regulations by drivers of unregistered and plate-less vehicles in which some caused mayhem in the country as the plate-less vehicles are being used to commit crimes such as robberies, murder, kidnapping, rape and other heinous crimes.
