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Temba Dube Senior Reporter
SCORES of Bulawayo motorists were yesterday each fined up to $20 while a number had their vehicles impounded for failing to renew their vehicle licence discs. Most licence discs expired on 31 May. According to the new registration system introduced by the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara), licence disc terms are four months and the discs expire on the fourth month from the date of purchase.
In the old system, the expiry dates were fixed.
Motorists were caught unawares when police mounted roadblocks along roads leading into the city centre yesterday morning.
“I was fined $10 for failing to display my licence disc. I had it in the vehicle but it was not displayed as required.
I think the fines are excessive because the amount is half what I pay for my vehicle for a whole term,” said Mrs Buhle Nkomo (22) of Cowdray Park suburb.
Commuter omnibus crews played a cat and mouse game with the police as they tried to find alternative routes into the Central Business District to evade police roadblocks.
“Of course my disc has expired but the police will always find something to make me part with my money. I am better off driving through Makokoba and going into the city via Masotsha Avenue,” said a kombi driver.
Commuters had altercations with kombi crews who delayed them by taking longer routes into the CBD.
“They were speeding and running away from police officers who were deployed along some of the shortcuts they take to avoid roadblocks.
Normally, I take about 30 minutes to get to work but today I took 50 minutes as the driver spent some time running away from the police. I am angry because he was risking our lives and made me get to work late,” said a teacher in the city.
A number of motorists alleged that police had impounded their vehicles.
Contacted for comment, the police spokesperson for Bulawayo, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo said more than 40 motorists were fined yesterday.
He said police were not impounding cars that did not have valid licence discs as alleged by some motorists.
“The figures are still coming in. It is, however, important to note that this is not a special operation but a routine exercise to ensure members of the public abide by the law,” said Insp Moyo.
“Drivers who did not have licence discs were being fined $20, those who had expired discs paid $15 while those who had the discs but failed to display them on their windscreens were each fined $10.”
Insp Moyo said people who did not have licence discs were likely to be uninsured and were therefore a danger to themselves and other road users.
“Insurance is a pre-requisite to buying a licence disc. Most people without discs are likely to be uninsured and in case of an accident, they may not afford to compensate victims,” said Insp Moyo.
He said police would continue fining motorists who did not comply with the regulations.
Licence discs, per vehicle per term, are $15 for motorcycles and $20 for small cars.
Owners of vehicles between three and seven tonnes fork out $45 while for vehicles above seven tonnes but below nine tonnes, the discs are $60 and those more than nine tonnes are $75.
Small trailer owners pay $15 and big trailers are charged $40.
Online Reporter