News / National
Zanu-PF Chair's car spotted in without number plates or insurance
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A Toyota Fortuner belonging to Zanu-PF Harare Province youth chairman Emmanuel Mahachi has been caught on camera in Masvingo operating without a number plate, third plate, or valid insurance - a blatant violation of Zimbabwean traffic laws.
Instead of an official vehicle registration, the SUV displayed a large anti-sanctions sticker reading "Sanctions Must Go" where the number plate should be. The third plate position, typically located on the inside of the windscreen, bore a Zanu-PF campaign sticker with the inscription "ZANU-PF OFFICIAL 2024 – Working Towards Vision 2030."
The vehicle was being driven by a woman identified as Mahachi's wife.
When contacted for comment, Mahachi initially stated that some party vehicles had been stripped of their plates as part of Zanu-PF's ongoing anti-sanctions campaign. He admitted that he does not pay for road licences or insurance to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), claiming the campaign's messaging was the current priority.
However, the youth leader's tone reportedly shifted after he realised he was speaking to a journalist. He then denied ownership of the vehicle and refused to comment further.
The incident has raised further concerns about growing lawlessness on Zimbabwe's roads, particularly involving vehicles associated with ruling party members and affiliates. According to traffic regulations, all motor vehicles must display a front and rear number plate, a third plate, and carry valid insurance.
Despite this, it appears law enforcement agencies such as the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) have largely ignored violations by politically connected individuals. Similar incidents have been increasingly reported in urban centres, where unregistered vehicles roam freely, sometimes linked to criminal activity.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba recently expressed disapproval of the trend in an interview with The Masvingo Mirror, stating that the government would not tolerate lawlessness.
"This lawlessness is unacceptable. Many robberies are committed using vehicles without number plates, and this must be stopped," Charamba said.
The matter has further highlighted growing public frustration over what critics describe as selective law enforcement and the erosion of accountability among politically affiliated individuals.
Instead of an official vehicle registration, the SUV displayed a large anti-sanctions sticker reading "Sanctions Must Go" where the number plate should be. The third plate position, typically located on the inside of the windscreen, bore a Zanu-PF campaign sticker with the inscription "ZANU-PF OFFICIAL 2024 – Working Towards Vision 2030."
The vehicle was being driven by a woman identified as Mahachi's wife.
When contacted for comment, Mahachi initially stated that some party vehicles had been stripped of their plates as part of Zanu-PF's ongoing anti-sanctions campaign. He admitted that he does not pay for road licences or insurance to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), claiming the campaign's messaging was the current priority.
However, the youth leader's tone reportedly shifted after he realised he was speaking to a journalist. He then denied ownership of the vehicle and refused to comment further.
The incident has raised further concerns about growing lawlessness on Zimbabwe's roads, particularly involving vehicles associated with ruling party members and affiliates. According to traffic regulations, all motor vehicles must display a front and rear number plate, a third plate, and carry valid insurance.
Despite this, it appears law enforcement agencies such as the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) have largely ignored violations by politically connected individuals. Similar incidents have been increasingly reported in urban centres, where unregistered vehicles roam freely, sometimes linked to criminal activity.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba recently expressed disapproval of the trend in an interview with The Masvingo Mirror, stating that the government would not tolerate lawlessness.
"This lawlessness is unacceptable. Many robberies are committed using vehicles without number plates, and this must be stopped," Charamba said.
The matter has further highlighted growing public frustration over what critics describe as selective law enforcement and the erosion of accountability among politically affiliated individuals.
Source - online
