Police, Zinara Clash Over Fines

Police will continue arresting and fining motorists whose licence discs expired on Tuesday, despite the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara)'s vehicle licensing system experiencing technical challenges since May 31.

Following the recent computerisation of insurance cover linking insurance firms and Zinara, insurers also faced hiccups in processing payments as the system went on and off.

Motorists had difficulties from Tuesday as they sought to renew their licences.

The Zinara system has been working intermittently at most centres -- including commercial banks and Zimpost offices -- leaving motorists stranded.

Police, Zinara Clash Over Fines

Police mounted roadblocks and fined motorists with expired licence discs even after Zinara flighted a public notice in the media yesterday acknowledging its system failure.

Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said traffic police would continue arresting motorists whose vehicle licences had expired.

"Any such notice that they have flighted in the media should have been formally communicated to the police," said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

"Police have a constitutional obligation to implement Government laws. We don't work on notices that are put in the media and not formally brought to the police. Those notices are not legally binding, but the law which empowers the police to arrest motorists whose vehicle licences expired is legally binding.

"The law is the law. We follow the law. Police will continue to arrest motorists with expired vehicle licences regardless of that notice in the media."

Zinara acting chief executive Engineer Moses Juma said the public notice issued yesterday followed consultations with all stakeholders.

"It's back to normal now. Our information communication technology team worked overnight to rectify the problem. As of today, we are now in normal zone," said Eng Juma.

"The public notice that came out in the media today (yesterday) made it clear that we were having challenges with our system," he said.

"In fact, all the stakeholders were informed about the challenge. That is why we put that public notice. The report that I have just received is that the challenge has been solved now but we will continue to keep an eye to make sure the licensing exercise runs smoothly," said Eng Juma.

A snap survey by The Herald yesterday mid-morning at some of the licensing outlets revealed that while the system was running, there were still hiccups.

It was back online later in the day with queues at most of the outlets.

Motorists who were in the queues complained about the manner in which they were treated.

"Some of us were at the post office at Causeway but were referred to the Main Post Office after having spent the whole day there to come and join another queue here," complained one of the motorists.

Some of the motorists were unable to get vehicle licence discs as their insurance payments were not yet reflecting.