Online Reporter
Amos Mpofu
POLICE have warned motorists that they will soon take decisive action against those deliberately obscuring or altering their number plates to evade identification by CCTV cameras across central business districts nationwide.
National Police Spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, described this growing trend as a “national scar,” with some drivers believing they can commit traffic offences and escape without detection.
Speaking to Zimpapers, Commissioner Nyathi confirmed that the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is fully aware of the practice and is preparing to act swiftly to curb it.
“Police have taken note of this trend where kombis and other vehicles are covering or altering their number plates to avoid being captured by CCTV or law enforcement. The trend is disturbing and poses a risk to people’s lives through incidents such as robberies or hit-and-runs. This is a national problem and is not confined to Bulawayo alone—it is happening across the country,” he said.
He added that Bulawayo benefits from the strategic placement of CCTV cameras throughout its streets, making it harder for offenders to escape detection even if they tamper with their number plates.
“Bulawayo has an advantage because CCTV cameras are installed in and around key points of the city. So, even if drivers tamper with their number plates, they cannot easily get away after committing a traffic offence and remain untraceable. However, the police have taken note of this growing trend nationwide and will take significant measures to put an end to it,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
Authorities and the public have also noted that many crimes today are committed using vehicles without number plates or with stolen, fake, or deliberately obscured plates.
Since number plates serve as a vehicle’s primary form of identification, tampering with them is a serious public concern, posing a real threat to the safety and wellbeing of citizens.
