Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Zimpapers Reporter
THE Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) will soon be restricted to conducting vehicle inspections at its depots only, Government has announced.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona, has said his ministry is working on a law to transform the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) from being a mere traffic safety promotional institution to a Road Traffic Safety Authority, ordinarily referred to as a Road Traffic Safety Lead Agency.
The proposed agency will be armed with powers to stop and inspect vehicles, issue tickets, investigate accidents and proffer recommendations to eliminate recurrence and other regulatory powers such as road infrastructure audits and oversight over road authorities.
Minister Mhona said this in his keynote speech at the Ministry’s Eighth Session of the Line Minister’s Public Entities Corporate Governance Oversight meeting held at a Bulawayo hotel on Wednesday.
“The ministry is working on a law to transform the TSCZ from being a traffic safety promotional institution to a Road Traffic Safety Authority with the inspectorate armed with the powers to stop and inspect vehicles, issue tickets, investigate accidents and proffer recommendations to eliminate recurrence and other regulatory powers such as road infrastructure audits and oversight over road authorities,” he said.
Minister Mhona said TSCZ’s envisaged role as an inspectorate will not duplicate the VID.
“The inspectorate of the Traffic Safety Authority will have powers to stop, institute spot inspections and refer vehicles to the VID depots for inspection. This will separate functions between the Traffic Safety
Authority’s Inspectorate and the VID, which should focus on inspections at the depots,” said Minister Mhona.
He also said the role of the VID in driver testing and licensing should be reviewed and directed the ministry’s legal, policy, VID, Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) and Road Motor Transport Departments to meet TSCZ and come up with policy recommendations on the modalities of implementing the proposal.
Minister Mhona said road safety remains a national priority and a shared responsibility, acknowledging the efforts being undertaken by the TSCZ in collaboration with various stakeholders, in implementing a wide range of programmes aimed at reducing road traffic accidents and saving lives.
“These initiatives are not only aligned with our national development goals but also reflect Zimbabwe’s commitment to international road safety frameworks, including the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety and the African Road Safety Charter,” he said. “Through these global partnerships, we continue to adopt best practices, enhance institutional capacity, and promote a culture of safety on our roads.”
The minister said the TSCZ is working with ZRP to finalise the rollout of breathalyzers and the procurement of speed cameras for use by ZRP.
“Think big, act big. For example, while we wait for transformation of TSCZ into a lead road agency and establishment of a stand-alone Road Accident Fund, there is nothing which stops you from coming up with a post-crash management framework.
“I look forward to the activation of this aspiration during this coming festive season,” said Minister Mhona.
During the period under review, the ministry, through the Road Motor Transportation, has continued to promote good behavior attitudes of transport operators by suspending operating licenses of those violating the terms and conditions of such licenses.
The ministry has also embarked on establishing a stand-alone Road Accident Fund (RAF) with its legislative framework expected to be finalised during this third Session of the 10th Parliament.
Bongani Ndlovu