POLICE are
impounding vehicles without registration plates amid revelations that about 10
000 cars have been seized countrywide for pirating, in violation of Covid-19
regulations.
According to authorities, thousands of motorists who paid
for number plates before 2019 have not bothered to collect them.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul
Nyathi warned motorists driving cars without number plates and those illegally
ferrying paying passengers, saying their vehicles risk being impounded.
Despite Zupco being the only authorised public transport
operator, some pirate kombis and small cars continue to ferry passengers,
targeting mostly those who want to avoid spending several hours in long queues.
Unregistered vehicles are being impounded as police suspect
they could be behind a spate of criminal activities that have been reported in
the last few months.
“Any vehicle seen on the road without displaying number
plates will be impounded by police on roadblocks and checkpoints. In this
regard, all vehicle owners who are displaying temporary number plates for 2019
and backwards are implored to visit the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) offices
and acquire permanent number plates with immediate effect,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said CVR had enough permanent plates and
they cost US$80.
Yesterday 1 165 motorists who infringed Covid-19
restrictions were arrested, bringing to 10 398 the total number of vehicles
impounded countrywide for operating illegal public transport services.
The highest number of impounded vehicles, including pirate
taxis and kombis, was recorded in Harare which accounted for 2 459 cases while
Matabeleland North recorded the least number with 175 cars.
Statistics from the police show that police in Bulawayo
recorded 237 cases while 303 were arrested in Matabeleland South.
In Midlands Province, police arrested 852 offenders, while
Manicaland recorded 1 374 arrests. Mashonaland East and Mashonaland West
recorded 1 060 and 853 arrests respectively.
Police in Masvingo arrested 2 020 motorists and in
Mashonaland Central they arrested 800.
Asst Comm Nyathi said 265 vehicles were impounded along
major highways.
He said as of Monday, police arrested 10 3908 drivers and
impounded their vehicles in the ongoing lockdown blitz. “We have arrested 10
398 motorists to date since commencement of the operation against motor
vehicles owners who are operating public transport services without exemption.
Some of these motor vehicle owners are actually removing number plates to avoid
detection. As police we have intensified the operation in line with Covid-19
lockdown regulations,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said most of the offenders were fined,
while some were sent to court depending on their personal circumstances.
He said anyone breaching the inter-city travel rules will
be arrested while vehicles used in illegal services will be impounded.
“People should take note that the country is still under
national lockdown and as such, inter-city movements remain banned. We reiterate
that we don’t expect any unnecessary movements and that people should abide by
the laws,” he said.
“People should put their safety and health first and should
also assist in the maintenance of law and order.”
At the inception of the Covid-19 lockdown in March,
Government suspended inter-city travel and banned all long-distance buses to
minimise the spread of the pandemic.
Only commercial vehicles ferrying and distributing goods
were permitted to travel from one city to another and beyond borders.
Government recently announced a curfew running from 8PM to
6AM, during which time no movements are allowed except for essential service
providers, to contain the spread of the global pandemic.
It could not be ascertained how many motorists have not
collected number plates including the total number of registered vehicles in
the country. CVR registrar Mr George Makoni said he does not speak to the
Press and referred questions to the Permanent Secretary in
the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development Engineer Amos Marawa.
Eng Marawa could not be reached on his mobile phone. Chronicle
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