Police arrest 191 defaulting motorists

POLICE and the Zimbabwe Road Administration Authority last Friday arrested 191 motorists in Harare for failing to display the new licence discs.

Last week police warned that motorists not displaying new licence discs would have their vehicles impounded. But this has not happened so far. The police are working with Zinara on a mechanism that provides for the impounding of the vehicles.

Acting national traffic police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Luckmore Chakanza yesterday said the nabbed motorists were fined before being issued with a warning to licence their vehicles.

"Most of the motorists were fined and they were complying. No vehicle has been impounded yet, but we are still on the ground," he said.

Once a motorist is arrested, Zinara officials would also get the motorist's details including the registration number, which they would enter into their computer for follow-ups.

Asst Insp Chakanza urged motorists to ensure their vehicles were licenced on time to avoid inconveniences.

Last week, 317 motorists were arrested in less than six hours at three roadblocks mounted on some major roads for failure to licence their vehicles. The spot check roadblocks were being used to determine whether or not motorists were complying with the new system.