Zimbabwe rakes in US$18m from number plates

The government collected nearly US$18 million from the issuance of vehicle number plates between January and June 2025, Parliament has been told.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona revealed the figures last week during a session of the National Assembly. He said total revenue generated from number plates during the six-month period amounted to US$13 790 915, with additional collections from the Central Vehicle Registry, Zimpost, and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority bringing the combined total to approximately US$18 million.

The figures were disclosed in response to a question from Emakhandeni-Luveve MP Descent Bajila, who asked for details on the total revenue generated from number plate issuance for the first half of 2025.

Minister Mhona said the disclosures were part of the government's commitment to transparency and accountability. "The question that has been raised by the Hon. Member is very important and this actually upholds the issues to do with transparency and accountability as enunciated in our supreme constitution," he said.

Bajila pressed further, questioning why number plates had initially been priced so high and whether the government intended to reduce costs given the significant revenue raised. Mhona explained that the pricing had been part of broader fiscal measures to boost government revenue. "The idea behind it was that through the Minister of Finance, we have measures to raise our purse as a government. This was one of the ways to make sure that we have one of our revenue streams," he said.

He added that the government later reduced the price after public concerns were raised. "The listening government listened to people when they were saying the price was too high. This is why it had to be reduced to make sure that everyone is accommodated," Mhona said.

In the same parliamentary sitting, concerns were raised over the functionality of provincial Rent Boards, with only two out of ten currently operational. Responding to a question from Bajila, then National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Zhemu Soda said the boards, established under Section 23 of the Housing and Building Act, serve as tribunals to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants regarding evictions and rent matters.

Soda explained that only the Harare and Midlands Rent Boards are operational, while efforts continue to fill vacancies in other provinces. "Adverts have been flighted, but there has often been little or no response," he said. He added that clerks are present in all provinces to receive complaints, but eviction cases and other disputes are referred to the nearest operational board or provincial magistrates' courts.

On rent regulation, Soda cited Section 39(4) of Statutory Instrument 32 of 2007, noting that rent increases cannot exceed 30% per annum, and that Rent Boards intervene only when parties fail to agree on fair rent.

The session highlighted both the government's success in generating revenue through vehicle registration and the ongoing challenges in protecting tenants across the country.