Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
MOTORISTS have been urged to consider changing ownership of their vehicles bought within two weeks as required under the vehicle registration process.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi further warned motorists driving vehicles without displaying registration plates.
His call follows recent criminal cases reported, in which vehicles without registration plates were used in committing offences in and outside Harare.
In a statement, Commissioner Nyathi said any vehicle without displaying registration plates will be impounded for the law to take its course.
He said such vehicles will only be released after the necessary registration process has been conducted with relevant authorities in terms of the law.
“The public should take note that this applies to all vehicles whether family owned, public owned, company vehicles, Government or private owned.
“Motorists and vehicle owners should take note and accordingly assist in the maintenance of law and order in the country.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has also noted with concern the proliferation of vehicles being sold and change of ownership not effected within two weeks as required under the vehicle registration process in the country.
“Police investigations have revealed a disturbing trend where a vehicle is sold to nearly five or seven people and continue to be registered in the first owner’s name.
“Most of the anomalies are discovered when a vehicle is involved in an incident warranting police action,” said Comm Nyathi.
He said all such vehicles will be followed up and action taken against the persons involved at every stage of the process.
Vehicle owners, sellers and buyers will be held accountable for the commission of any criminal act by suspects using vehicles which are complying with provisions of Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act Chapter 13:14.
“A number of motorists have not been changing ownership of their vehicles.
“Police will not hesitate to bring all such motorists to book by impounded their vehicles until they finish processing all the documents required.
“Let all motorists clear their vehicles with our Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS) as well as the Central Vehicle Registration (CVR) to avoid clashing with police traffic officers,” said Comm Nyathi.
In one of the cases, an unidentified man was reported to have been driving along Glenara Avenue on Friday around 1 am heading Samora Machel Avenue and immediately stopped at DA Service Station exit gate.
He disembarked from an unregistered red Toyota Raum and ran away.
The motor vehicle then started producing some smoke and it immediately went ablaze.
Security guards, who were on duty managed to put off the fire using sand buckets and fire extinguishers.
Another case was reported on the same day at around 2am at Argyle Road in Newlands involving an unregistered black formative Mercedes Benz.
Security guards at the premises carried out perimeter checks and surveillance through CCTV, the saw the Mercedes Benz and a silver grey X-Trail registration (ACP 5757) also passing facing eastwards and as they passed through they flashed lights to each other which was a signal to their motive.
The driver of the X-Trail then parked his motor vehicle outside the gate, disembarked from the vehicle and set the vehicle on fire and the driver of a Mercedes Benz immediately came and picked him up and sped off from the scene.
The parked Nissan X-Trail was immediately engulfed with fire.
