BUSINESS REPORTER
The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTATS) has revealed that the number of vehicles registered in Zimbabwe has hit 1,467,955, reflecting a 6.9% increase from 1,373,431 reported in 2021.
In its latest report presented by ZIMSTATS director general, Taguma Mahonde this week, the number of drivers licences processed by the Central Vehicle Registry stood at 238,017.
“A year-on-year comparison shows the stock of registered vehicles in the country increasing by 6.9% from 1,373,431 as at 31st December 2021 to 1,467,955 as at 31st December 2022.”
Of the 1,467,955, light motor vehicles accounted for 80.6%. This means there were 1,183,231 registered light motor vehicles. Heavy vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, tractors and farm implements accounted for the balance.
The report was compiled using administrative data obtained from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Central Vehicle Registry, the Zimbabwe Republic Police headquarters, Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe and the National Railways of Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) and Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) this year issued to vehicle owners to renew their licences or face the risk of deregistration after gazetting of the notice. Vehicles that get deregistered legally become valueless, as owners cannot be able to sell them.
Vehicles in arrears of two or more years are now targeted for removal from the list of legally licenced vehicles, with authorities estimating that up to 800 000 are not up to date with licensing requirements.
Once de-registered, ZINARA said that re-registration of a vehicle would attract a re-registration fee of $160, a police clearance and settlement of licence arrears.
The de-registration of the vehicles will be carried out in terms of the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act Chapter 13:14, section 12 paragraphs (c) and (d) Part (c) states that the Registrar may cancel the registration of a vehicle that has not been licensed or exempted for two years.
According to ZINARA, the exercise is meant to give the Government an updated record of licenced vehicles, with the move being in line with provisions of the Vehicle Registration and Licencing Act, which empowers the registrar to cancel licences for vehicles with outstanding fees exceeding two years.
