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They said they will start penalising offenders on 1 July despite a High Court judgment giving them greenlight to arrest the drivers.
The police, using their discretion, yesterday said despite the court judgment, arrests will remain on hold until the end of this month.
This comes after Justice Andrew Mutema dismissed an application by a Harare woman, Ms Roselyn Hanzi, who was seeking to bar them from arresting motorists until 30 June.
The court held that the two notices by the Zimbabwe National Road Administration early this month had nothing to do with the police operations on the road and that it simply allowed motorists to pay up for their licences without administrative late payment penalties.
Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena, said it was clear that there was no law barring them from effecting arrests.
However, he said considering the challenges facing the vehicle owners in the licensing process, the grace period was appropriate.
“We maintain that no one should be arrested over displaying valid vehicle licensing discs until end of June. Arrests will start on 1 July.
“This was not influenced by the notices issued by Zinara but it is the police’s discretion after realising the challenges facing the vehicle owners in renewal of licences considering the introduction of the new system by Zinara. From 1 July there will be no excuse,” said Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena. He urged Zinara to be more efficient and faster in the licensing process in future.
“Zinara has to improve its services in future to avoid inconveniences,” said Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena.
The statement by the police comes at a time when some police officers were busy fining people on the roads for the offence.
A Harare motorist, Mr Emmanuel Manyau, said police bosses should properly communicate to their juniors on the roads to stop the arrests.
“The police have been talking of the grace period some weeks back but it appears the decision was not being implemented.
“On the roads people are being fined despite communication by the police bosses that the arrests have been suspended. Formal communication should reach all the officers to avoid inconveniences,” said Mr Manyau.
Another motorist, Ms Agnes Manambo, said there was confusion on the roads and the police bosses should direct their officers on the roads to stop fining motorists.
“It appears there is confusion due to some communication problems in the police force. At one roadblock some officers demand the valid licence and make us pay admission of guilt fines.
“If you go to another area the officers will be complying with the position stated by Mr Bvudzijena.
There should be proper communication to avoid inconveniences,” said Ms Manambo.
In the judgment in question Justice Mutema absolved Zinara of any wrongdoing saying Ms Hanzi and her lawyers rushed to file the application without verifying the facts and researching the law.
It was the court’s finding that Ms Hanzi and her lawyers failed to properly interpret the notices by Zinara as well as the law. Justice Mutema found that the police were correct in arresting Ms Hanzi for failure to display a valid licence disc.
Online Reporter