Govt removes unjustifiable, duplicative access fees

Freeman Razemba

Senior Reporter

The Government has, with immediate effect, removed some of the unjustifiable, duplicative access fees which were being charged by the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), Road Motor Transportation (RMT) and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID).

Government through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has since successfully rationalised all fees charged by the above-mentioned departments, including the removal of regulatory requirements and permit charges that duplicated functions across agencies and transactional fees that hindered operational efficiency.

This is part of the broader national effort to eliminate high administrative costs, streamline regulatory processes, and strengthen Zimbabwe’s economic competitiveness by enhancing the ease of doing business.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Advocate Felix Mhona confirmed the development in a statement.

“During the first Cabinet meeting of 2026, His Excellency the President, Cde Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to finalise the review of taxes, licences, permits and regulatory fees charged across Government. This directive is part of the broader national effort to eliminate excessive administrative costs, streamline regulatory processes, and strengthen Zimbabwe’s economic competitiveness by enhancing the ease of doing business,” he said.

“Since last year, Cabinet has considered and approved the review of fees charged by the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), Road Motor Transportation (RMT) and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID), with particular emphasis on removing unjustifiable, duplicative or overlapping charges.

“Pursuant to this directive, the Ministry has successfully rationalised all fees charged by the above-mentioned Departments, including the removal of regulatory requirements and permit charges that duplicated functions across agencies and transactional fees that hindered operational efficiency. I am pleased to advise the nation that Statutory Instrument 113 of 2026 was gazetted on 24 July 2026, giving legal effect to the removal of the Road Access Fee.”

The minister said this milestone aligns with the ministry’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business and promoting economic competitiveness.

“The Road Access Fee was introduced in 2009, at a time when Zimbabwe did not yet have a national road tolling system,” he said.

“With the subsequent rollout of ZINARA toll gates across the national road network, the fee became duplicative, resulting in motorists being charged twice for the same service.

“This duplication imposed unnecessary financial and administrative burdens on transport operators and the travelling public. The Ministry remains firmly committed to creating a modern, efficient and business-friendly transport regulatory framework.

“I therefore urge all drivers, vehicle owners and transport operators to comply fully with road transport regulations and to take advantage of the revised, streamlined fee structure now in place.”