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Police warn motorists over tampering with number plates
3 hrs ago |
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The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has issued a stern warning to motorists deliberately obscuring or altering their vehicle number plates to evade identification by closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed across the country's major cities.
National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi described the growing practice as a "national scar," saying it undermines law enforcement efforts and poses a serious threat to public safety.
"Police have taken note of this trend where kombis and other vehicles are covering or altering their number plates to avoid being captured by CCTV or law enforcement," said Commissioner Nyathi in an interview with Zimpapers. "The trend is disturbing and poses a risk to people's lives through incidents such as robberies or hit-and-runs. This is a national problem and is not confined to Bulawayo alone—it is happening across the country."
He said the police are preparing to take decisive action against offenders, warning that tampering with vehicle identification plates is a criminal act that will attract severe penalties.
Commissioner Nyathi also commended the effectiveness of Bulawayo's CCTV network, noting that the city's surveillance infrastructure has made it difficult for offenders to evade detection.
"Bulawayo has an advantage because CCTV cameras are installed in and around key points of the city. So, even if drivers tamper with their number plates, they cannot easily get away after committing a traffic offence and remain untraceable. However, the police have taken note of this growing trend nationwide and will take significant measures to put an end to it," he said.
Law enforcement authorities and members of the public have expressed concern over the rise in criminal activities involving vehicles with missing, stolen, fake, or deliberately obscured number plates.
Police reiterated that vehicle number plates serve as the primary means of identification and traceability, and any tampering undermines both road safety and public security. The ZRP has vowed to intensify surveillance, increase patrols, and ensure offenders face prosecution under the country's traffic and criminal laws.
National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi described the growing practice as a "national scar," saying it undermines law enforcement efforts and poses a serious threat to public safety.
"Police have taken note of this trend where kombis and other vehicles are covering or altering their number plates to avoid being captured by CCTV or law enforcement," said Commissioner Nyathi in an interview with Zimpapers. "The trend is disturbing and poses a risk to people's lives through incidents such as robberies or hit-and-runs. This is a national problem and is not confined to Bulawayo alone—it is happening across the country."
He said the police are preparing to take decisive action against offenders, warning that tampering with vehicle identification plates is a criminal act that will attract severe penalties.
"Bulawayo has an advantage because CCTV cameras are installed in and around key points of the city. So, even if drivers tamper with their number plates, they cannot easily get away after committing a traffic offence and remain untraceable. However, the police have taken note of this growing trend nationwide and will take significant measures to put an end to it," he said.
Law enforcement authorities and members of the public have expressed concern over the rise in criminal activities involving vehicles with missing, stolen, fake, or deliberately obscured number plates.
Police reiterated that vehicle number plates serve as the primary means of identification and traceability, and any tampering undermines both road safety and public security. The ZRP has vowed to intensify surveillance, increase patrols, and ensure offenders face prosecution under the country's traffic and criminal laws.
Source - The Chronicle
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