Motorists In Revolt As ZRP Enforces Costly Vehicle Transfer Law

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By A Correspondent | The failure by motorists to update vehicle ownership records after selling their cars has exposed growing tensions between police enforcement requirements and drivers who complain that the transfer process is expensive, cumbersome and inconvenient.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has warned that selling a vehicle does not automatically absolve the previous owner of responsibility if the new buyer fails to complete the ownership transfer.

National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said this week that motorists were required to have ownership details changed within 14 days in line with vehicle registration regulations.

He warned that sellers could find themselves facing consequences for traffic offences committed by people who had since purchased and taken possession of their vehicles.

“The challenge which we have is that most of us in Zimbabwe don’t want to change vehicle ownership,” Nyathi said during a road safety engagement programme.

The police have reiterated that continuing to use vehicles without updating ownership details after a change of proprietorship is a violation of the law.

However, motorists have pushed back against the requirements, arguing that the procedures involved in transferring ownership are burdensome, costly and far from user-friendly.

Some sellers also face difficulties when buyers take possession of vehicles but fail to complete the necessary paperwork, leaving the original owners exposed to potential complications.

The dispute comes as authorities increasingly rely on electronic traffic monitoring systems, making accurate vehicle registration records important in identifying motorists responsible for road offences.

While police are insisting on compliance with the ownership transfer requirements, motorists want authorities to address the financial and administrative obstacles associated with the process.