News / National
Police to deploy drones to around Harare CBD
28 May 2025 at 10:27hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) will soon deploy drones around Harare's Central Business District (CBD) and its precincts to support the newly introduced Electronic Traffic Management System (ETMS) in identifying and apprehending traffic offenders.
This move comes as many towns across Zimbabwe have descended into chaotic "traffic jungles," largely due to the unchecked proliferation of illegal taxis and kombis causing daily disruptions. Common violations include illegal passenger pickups and drop-offs, creation of unauthorized lanes, driving against traffic flow, ignoring stop signs, and operating public service vehicles without proper permits.
Recently, police flagged 290 motorists for traffic infractions captured by surveillance cameras under the ETMS. Now, drones will be added to enhance monitoring and enforcement efforts.
In an interview, ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi explained that drones will be operated from Harare Central Police Station to identify and track suspected traffic offenders. "It is not just a unique system working in isolation; it is integrated with the drone facility which the Zimbabwe Republic Police has also introduced," he said.
The drones can monitor activities up to 20 kilometers away from the police station, including key locations such as Market Square, Rotten Row, and the Harare Exhibition Park (Showgrounds). "While at Harare Central, we can monitor what happens at Market Square, Rotten Row, the Showgrounds, and other parts of town," Commissioner Nyathi stated.
The enhanced system is expected to effectively reduce congestion and enforce traffic laws within the CBD. "Motorists who may think the system is ineffective will be surprised when the drone facility comes on board," he added. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city, already has CCTV systems monitoring its CBD, and police plan to publicize traffic violators there soon.
Commissioner Nyathi also revealed plans to expand the drone-supported traffic enforcement system to other urban centers across the country. "We will soon be publicizing motorists committing violations in Bulawayo CBD to demonstrate the Commissioner General of Police's commitment to modernizing policing and tackling road traffic violations from the air," he said.
As traffic woes continue to escalate in urban areas, the integration of drones with electronic monitoring technologies marks a significant step towards restoring order on Zimbabwe's roads.
This move comes as many towns across Zimbabwe have descended into chaotic "traffic jungles," largely due to the unchecked proliferation of illegal taxis and kombis causing daily disruptions. Common violations include illegal passenger pickups and drop-offs, creation of unauthorized lanes, driving against traffic flow, ignoring stop signs, and operating public service vehicles without proper permits.
Recently, police flagged 290 motorists for traffic infractions captured by surveillance cameras under the ETMS. Now, drones will be added to enhance monitoring and enforcement efforts.
In an interview, ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi explained that drones will be operated from Harare Central Police Station to identify and track suspected traffic offenders. "It is not just a unique system working in isolation; it is integrated with the drone facility which the Zimbabwe Republic Police has also introduced," he said.
The drones can monitor activities up to 20 kilometers away from the police station, including key locations such as Market Square, Rotten Row, and the Harare Exhibition Park (Showgrounds). "While at Harare Central, we can monitor what happens at Market Square, Rotten Row, the Showgrounds, and other parts of town," Commissioner Nyathi stated.
The enhanced system is expected to effectively reduce congestion and enforce traffic laws within the CBD. "Motorists who may think the system is ineffective will be surprised when the drone facility comes on board," he added. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city, already has CCTV systems monitoring its CBD, and police plan to publicize traffic violators there soon.
Commissioner Nyathi also revealed plans to expand the drone-supported traffic enforcement system to other urban centers across the country. "We will soon be publicizing motorists committing violations in Bulawayo CBD to demonstrate the Commissioner General of Police's commitment to modernizing policing and tackling road traffic violations from the air," he said.
As traffic woes continue to escalate in urban areas, the integration of drones with electronic monitoring technologies marks a significant step towards restoring order on Zimbabwe's roads.
Source - Herald
