28 January 2022
Jeremiah Harrison
At least 500 vehicles have been impounded in Bulawayo for various traffic offences with cars without number plates being most targeted.
The vehicles are being kept at Ross Camp.
The police blitz began earlier this year through an order to arrest and impound all unregistered vehicles across Zimbabwe.
While the operation is targeted at vehicles without the registration particulars police have been remain resolute in enforcing traffic laws to would be offenders.
The vehicles without number plates are said to be used to commit offences such as robbery, kidnapping and illegal pirating.
Some criminals are said to deliberately remove registration plates from their motor vehicles in order to use these vehicles for crime.
Unregistered vehicles are untraceable especially in case of robberies, kidnappings and road accidents.
Members of the public and the police find it difficult to trace the owner of the vehicle after an unlawful accident or incident has occurred.
Bulawayo Provincial Press and and Liaison Police spokesperson Inspector Abednego Ncube confirmed that over 500 vehicles were impounded since the operation started.
“Over 500 vehicles have been impounded since the operation.” Confirmed Insp. Ncube.
“Since the operation started the cases of robbery in Bulawayo are decreasing” Assured the police spokesman.
The blitz is not only targeting unregistered vehicles but also motor vehicles with defects and expired insurance and licenses are impounded as well.
“There are other vehicles that are on wanted list by other stakeholders such as Bulawayo City Council and Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) with defects.”
Inspector Ncube said if such vehicles are impounded they attract a fine (amount dependent on defects) and when the payment is made the vehicle is released.
According to reports, permanent number plates are now available at Zimra offices at the country’s border posts making it simple for those who are importing vehicles.
Motorists or cars owners obtain permanent plates as they clear their imported vehicles through customs.
This simply translates to that temporary plates are no longer issued or needed.
The Herald reports that all border posts except Plumtree border, are selling the plates.
In Plumtree, the number plates are obtainable at Plumtree Post Office.
Authorities around Zimbabwe have been impounding vehicles in an operation that has resulted in more than 16 000 drivers of unregistered plates being arrested.