Only trained cops to conduct breathalyser tests

Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba has directed that only trained and certified police officers are authorised to conduct breathalyser tests on motorists suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol, as authorities intensify efforts to curb road traffic accidents.

Commissioner-General Mutamba said the breathalyser machines will only be administered by officers who have undergone the requisite training and hold valid certification. The directive follows President Emmerson Mnangagwa's approval of the use of approved breathalyser devices by law enforcement agencies.

The directive is contained in a Government Gazette published last Friday in terms of the Road Traffic Act.

"It is hereby notified that the Commissioner-General of Police has, in terms of section 76(8) of the Road Traffic Act (Chapter 13:11), authorised members of the Police Service who hold a valid breathalyser training certificate to operate a breath-analysis instrument and conduct breath tests," reads the notice issued by Commissioner-General Mutamba.

The notice further states that the directive follows the approval of breath-analysing instruments by President Mnangagwa, as outlined in the Road Traffic (Use of Breathalysers) Notice, Statutory Instrument 7 of 2026.

Two weeks ago, President Mnangagwa gazetted new regulations authorising the use of modern breathalyser machines, marking a significant step in tightening measures against drunk driving in response to rising fatal road accidents.

The regulations approve two internationally recognised breathalyser models for use by law enforcement agencies: the ST FIT-333Gi manufactured by AAT Limited of Hong Kong, and the AT9000 produced by Hanwei Electronics Group Corporation of China.

Under Statutory Instrument 7 of 2026, the President repealed the previous 2025 regulations, paving the way for nationwide deployment of the approved devices to detect alcohol-impaired drivers.

The move comes amid growing concern over worsening road carnage. Police statistics show that 100 people died in 2 412 road traffic accidents during the recently concluded festive season, more than double the 1 211 accidents recorded over the same period in 2024. Fatal crashes increased from 65 to 87, while the number of injuries rose from 401 to 471.

Breathalysers work by measuring the concentration of alcohol in a driver's breath and converting it into a blood alcohol content reading. A motorist is required to blow into a disposable mouthpiece attached to the device, which produces an immediate digital result.

Drivers found to be above the legal alcohol limit can be stopped from continuing their journey and face criminal prosecution.

Government authorities say the revival of breathalyser testing is aimed at addressing the surge in road traffic accidents, most of which are attributed to human error, particularly drunk driving.