Wisdom Samanyai, the head of licensing at Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), said there was nothing wrong with the proposed changes to the Broadcasting Services Act, reported <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/nothing-amiss-in-compulsory-car-radio-licences/">The Herald</a>.
These changes would require motorists to buy car radio licences before they can purchase vehicle insurance and registration. 
He explained that the amendments aim to strengthen the enforcement of the law.
Samanyai said this in a presentation at a joint meeting of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, and Transport and Infrastructural Development on Monday, February 3.
The meeting was held to discuss the changes to Clause 15 of the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill, which is currently being debated in the National Assembly.
The new rule would require motorists to buy car radio licences before they can obtain vehicle insurance and registration.
The money will be collected by the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA). Said Samanyai:
<blockquote>
So, we have a good number that would avoid and say they are removing the radio altogether. I don’t want to be found wanting, but there are also those who just choose to say we are evading, probably consciously or subconsciously.
They will just decide they are not going to comply with this very same Act, which then pushed us to then find a way. First and foremost, we wanted to help our agencies to enforce this legal requirement.
Hence, we had to be explicit in as far as this Bill is concerned, to say nobody is allowed to either go on to purchase their insurance or road licence before first complying with the Broadcasting Services Act requirement, which is making sure that your radio licence is paid for.
</blockquote>
ZINARA CEO Nkosinathi Ncube said that his organisation is prepared to implement the law once it is enacted. He said:
<blockquote>
We need to underline that we support Government decisions, parliamentary decisions, and the progress that it brings to the nation. So, we’re always there to support.
And as Government agents, we make sure that we fully implement that which the Government will then put through and which is good for the country.
</blockquote>
Ncube emphasized the need to ensure that, once passed, the new requirement would not interfere with ZINARA’s mandate to collect funds for road construction and maintenance.
He also revealed that 70 per cent of vehicles on the country’s roads, or just over 800,000 cars, are compliant with license and insurance payments.

Pindula News

The head of ZBC said it's okay to need a car radio license before getting insurance and registration. This rule will help enforce the law. The ZINARA will collect the money. ZINARA's CEO agreed to implement this law. They want to support the government's decisions to improve the country. They will make sure this new rule doesn't affect their work of collecting money for roads. Most cars in Zimbabwe already follow the rules by paying for licenses and insurance.

ZBC Head Defends Proposal For Car Radio Licences Before Vehicle Registration

The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) has reported a decline in new vehicle registrations in the second quarter, with only 15,890 vehicles registered for the first time compared to 24,428 in the first quarter. ZimStat said:
<blockquote>
According to data from Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), vehicles registration up to 2 300kg have decreased from 18 539 to 12 296, which is a -33,7% decrease, whereas heavy vehicles 2 301-4 600kg have also decreased from 1 812 to 903, which is a -33,6% decrease.
</blockquote>
ZimStat also revealed that road accident deaths increased by 9,6% during the same period. It said:
<blockquote>
According to Zimbabwe Republic Police [ZRP] PGHQ [Police General Headquarters] Statistics Department, in the first quarter of 2024, 2 625 injuries were reported, whereas 448 deaths were recorded, whereas in the second quarter of 2024, 594 deaths were recorded and 2 783 injuries, which shows a 9,6% increase.
</blockquote>
ZimStat reported that at national level, 55 136 candidates undertook the certificate of competency test during the second quarter of the year, with 50,4% succeeding. Said the Agency:
<blockquote>
In all provinces except Harare (55,9%) and Mashonaland East (59,3%), proportions of candidates who passed certificate of competency tests during second quarter of 2024 were less than 50%.
</blockquote>
ZimStat reported that all airports across the country recorded increases in the number of flights during the same period.
For example, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport recorded 6,717 flights, representing an 18.7% increase from 5,659 flights in the first quarter of 2024.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

In the second quarter of the year, Zimbabwe saw a decrease in new vehicle registrations and an increase in road accident deaths. ZimStat reported that fewer vehicles were registered and more people were dying in accidents. However, more candidates were taking competency tests, with over 50% passing. Also, all airports in the country had more flights. For example, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport saw an 18.7% increase in flights. Overall, there were fewer new vehicles, more accidents, more people taking tests, and more flights in Zimbabwe during this time.

Zimbabwe Sees Drop In New Vehicle Registrations For Second Quarter

Government has urged the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) to reduce vehicle registration fees to compliment national efforts of improving the ease of doing business in the country.
Officially opening the strategic planning workshop in Bulawayo, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Joram Gumbo said government departments compliment the national vision of improving the ease of doing business. He also criticised corruption in the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID). He said public officials must be accountable to the law and that those who are corrupt will be dealt with.
More: <a href="http://www.zbc.co.zw/2017/11/14/slash-registration-fees-cvr-told/">ZBC</a>

Govt urges CVR to slash vehicle registration fees

Speaking to The Herald, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo confirmed that Government is working on reducing transporter service fees and vehicle registration charges by almost 50 percent as part of measures to improve the Ease of Doing Business. 
Speaking while officially unveiling 10 trucks in Harare by Pioneer Transport, director of Transport Management in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development Mr Allowance Sango indicated that fees will be reduced. Said Sango:
<blockquote>There is need to address challenges affecting the transport industry and the opportunities which the sector can offer. Government, as part of Ease of Doing Business, will soon announce a drastic reduction in transport service fees. Some services are going to be reduced to as low as $25.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/vehicle-registration-charges-to-fall-50pc/">Herald</a>

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