Zimbabwe deploys new vehicle inspection fleet in safety push

Government has launched one of its most extensive road-safety overhauls in decades with the commissioning of a national fleet of inspection vehicles, advanced brake-testing equipment and police breathalysers  -  a move authorities say will significantly strengthen enforcement and reduce deadly road crashes.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona unveiled the new equipment at the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) Eastlea depot on Friday, describing the upgrades as a turning point in Zimbabwe's quest to build a safer, more technologically advanced transport system.

"It is my great honour and privilege to address you this morning, as we bask in the sunshine of the positive development in our road traffic safety management sector," Mhona said. "Indeed, it is an honour to headline this momentous occasion."

The newly commissioned package includes 18 operational VID vehicles, state-of-the-art brake-roller testers for inspection stations, and an additional consignment of police breathalysers donated by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe.

Mhona said the investment represents a decisive strengthening of national enforcement capability. The new VID vehicles are expected to boost inspectors' mobility, allowing them to cover more ground, reach remote areas and conduct spontaneous roadside checks  -  something authorities say has been limited by logistical constraints for years.

"This mobility is a force multiplier in our campaign against rickety, unroadworthy vehicles that pose a danger to all who share our roads," Mhona said.

The minister placed particular emphasis on the advanced brake-roller testers, describing them as a leap toward international standards. The systems assess braking power using digital, tamper-proof measurements that provide "objective, data-driven and irrefutable evidence" of a vehicle's performance.

"They eliminate guesswork, preventing corruption and ensuring that every vehicle that passes through our inspection stations meets a stringent, scientifically verified standard," Mhona said.

Officials say the equipment will also speed up inspection processes, reducing delays for commercial and private motorists and improving productivity in the broader transport sector. Mhona said inspectors will now be able to conduct "more inspections with greater accuracy and in less time".

The breathalysers will be deployed immediately by police, who are preparing for intensified sobriety checks during the festive season  -  traditionally one of the most hazardous periods on Zimbabwe's roads due to spikes in drunk-driving and increased traffic volumes.

Analysts say the commissioning marks a broader shift by government towards more assertive, technology-driven enforcement, complementing ongoing modernisation efforts that include digital licensing systems and infrastructure upgrades.

Mhona said the investments underline government's commitment to building a road-transport system that protects citizens while supporting national economic growth.

"This is evidence of our determination to construct a transport ecosystem that is efficient, accountable and safe for all Zimbabweans," he said.