Police warn motorists over failure to change vehicle ownership

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has warned against the continued use of motor vehicles without changing the ownership when the proprietorship has swapped hands, saying it is a contravention of the law.

With the newly implemented Smart Traffic Management System (STMS), which uses artificial intelligence and cameras to identify road violations, many motorists have been crying foul over being penalised for vehicles which they no longer own.

The STMS operates with number plate recognition, with cameras capturing the vehicle registration details of traffic offenders’ vehicles, who will be notified of the fine and the offence.

According to the law, one has to change the ownership of the vehicle within two weeks of the sale.

Failure to change the ownership means the seller risks being penalised by the ZRP’s new traffic system.

Speaking in Harare recently, ZRP Spokesperson Paul Nyathi said failing to change the ownership results in the seller carrying the burden of traffic offences.

“The challenge which we have is that most of us in Zimbabwe do not want to change vehicle ownership. In terms of the country’s Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act, any vehicle owner, whether it is company-owned or family-owned, has to change ownership within two weeks.

“What it entails is that if somebody is driving a vehicle which he or she has acquired and has not changed ownership, they are committing an offence. The seller remains accountable; even if you say ‘I have sold it’, you remain accountable until change of ownership is effected,” said Nyathi.

He also added that when the system is fully operational, motorists will not evade accountability.

“Once the system becomes operational, what it also entails is that people will be made accountable for their dues, whether it’s dues to the State, local authority or any other misdemeanour which you committed. The system is all-encompassing,” said Nyathi.

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