Published: 18 September 2025

Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona has reiterated government's commitment to enhancing road safety by tightening licensing requirements for bus and haulage truck drivers, aiming to reduce Zimbabwe's high annual road death toll of approximately 2,000.

Addressing Parliament, Mhona emphasized that new licence holders would no longer be permitted to immediately operate public transport vehicles. "You start with Class 4 going upwards; you cannot start with Class 2. To drive buses or commuter vehicles, you must be over 30 years old," he said.

He explained that drivers must gain at least one year of experience on a Class 4 licence before upgrading to Class 2, and two years on Class 2 before qualifying for Class 1. The measure is designed to ensure that only mature and experienced drivers operate public service vehicles, reflecting practices already adopted in several other countries.

Lawmakers also raised concerns about unregistered vehicles on the roads. Mhona assured them that all vehicles must be registered and insured, warning that police roadblocks would continue to enforce compliance. He added that the cost of number plates would soon be reduced to encourage motorists to register their vehicles.

Marondera Central legislator Caston Matewu called for the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) to be granted enforcement powers, noting that the agency is currently perceived as "toothless" by drivers. Mhona confirmed plans are underway to transform the TSCZ into a fully-fledged agency capable of imposing penalties on reckless drivers.

The minister concluded by urging motorists to exercise personal responsibility. "We want mature people to be driving, but that does not mean accidents can be stopped completely. It is up to us as citizens to drive cautiously," he said.
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