Published: 2 hours ago

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a major operation targeting more than 1,241 motorists in Harare for failing to obey traffic light regulations.

In an unusual move, the police have published the registration numbers of all offending vehicles and are urging owners to report to the nearest station within a week. The crackdown is powered by the newly implemented Electronic Traffic Management System, a multi-million-dollar public-private partnership aimed at reducing road accidents and enforcing traffic laws.

National Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the operation.

"The Zimbabwe Republic Police releases the registration numbers for vehicles which were captured through the Electronic Traffic Management System for violating red traffic lights in Harare Central Business District," Comm Nyathi said.

He added a direct appeal to offenders: "All vehicle owners are advised to report to any nearest police station to assist in the ongoing investigations within the next seven days. Vehicle owners and those in possession of the vehicles are urged to cooperate with the police to assist in the maintenance of law and order."

The Electronic Traffic Management System, established in partnership with Dubai-based Vitronic Machine Vision Middle East at a cost of US$80 million, represents a significant shift from manual enforcement to automated monitoring. Authorities have emphasised that no offender, "regardless of their status or connections," will escape accountability.

This latest list of 1,241 offenders forms part of a broader problem, with previous police reports revealing that the system has recorded more than 20,000 vehicles flouting traffic regulations in Harare and Bulawayo combined.

The operation underscores the police's determination to harness technology in improving road safety and curbing lawlessness on Zimbabwe's roads.
- the herald

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