News / National
284 Bulawayo motorists wanted for crossing red robots
05 Jun 2025 at 10:09hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has released a list of 284 Bulawayo motorists caught on camera violating traffic regulations by driving through red traffic lights, as the Electronic Traffic Management System (ETMS) intensifies its nationwide crackdown on reckless drivers.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the development, stating that although the system is still operating at limited capacity in Bulawayo, significant upgrades are underway that will enhance its ability to identify offenders more comprehensively.
"At present, the ETMS in Bulawayo is only capturing vehicle registration numbers," said Commissioner Nyathi. "However, this is a temporary measure. Once the upgrade is completed, we will begin capturing full details, including national identity numbers and owner information."
He said the upgraded system, already operational in Harare, allows for swift enforcement by automatically linking violations to the registered vehicle owner's national ID, allowing for immediate follow-ups.
Since its rollout, the ETMS has recorded over 20,000 traffic violations across the country, with names of offending motorists being released in phases.
Commissioner Nyathi urged motorists whose vehicles appear on the Bulawayo list to present themselves to the nearest police station without delay and cooperate with law enforcement officers during investigations.
"The public must understand this is not a witch-hunt. It is about road safety and accountability. We are urging individuals and institutions to come forward if their vehicles were involved," he said.
Police have, however, raised concern over poor compliance with earlier enforcement notices, particularly in Harare. Out of 270 motorists named in the first batch of offenders, only 95 have responded.
"It is disturbing that such a low number of violators have come forward to face the law. The ZRP is now deploying crack teams to track down offenders and ensure they are held accountable," warned Commissioner Nyathi.
He added that police will not hesitate to impound vehicles, make arrests, and compile dockets for court prosecution as part of efforts to restore discipline on the roads.
The ETMS uses high-definition surveillance cameras to capture various violations, including failure to obey traffic signals, speeding, and dangerous driving. Authorities say the system is key to reducing road accidents and ensuring order on Zimbabwe's roads.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the development, stating that although the system is still operating at limited capacity in Bulawayo, significant upgrades are underway that will enhance its ability to identify offenders more comprehensively.
"At present, the ETMS in Bulawayo is only capturing vehicle registration numbers," said Commissioner Nyathi. "However, this is a temporary measure. Once the upgrade is completed, we will begin capturing full details, including national identity numbers and owner information."
He said the upgraded system, already operational in Harare, allows for swift enforcement by automatically linking violations to the registered vehicle owner's national ID, allowing for immediate follow-ups.
Since its rollout, the ETMS has recorded over 20,000 traffic violations across the country, with names of offending motorists being released in phases.
"The public must understand this is not a witch-hunt. It is about road safety and accountability. We are urging individuals and institutions to come forward if their vehicles were involved," he said.
Police have, however, raised concern over poor compliance with earlier enforcement notices, particularly in Harare. Out of 270 motorists named in the first batch of offenders, only 95 have responded.
"It is disturbing that such a low number of violators have come forward to face the law. The ZRP is now deploying crack teams to track down offenders and ensure they are held accountable," warned Commissioner Nyathi.
He added that police will not hesitate to impound vehicles, make arrests, and compile dockets for court prosecution as part of efforts to restore discipline on the roads.
The ETMS uses high-definition surveillance cameras to capture various violations, including failure to obey traffic signals, speeding, and dangerous driving. Authorities say the system is key to reducing road accidents and ensuring order on Zimbabwe's roads.
Source - The Chronicle
