By Savious Madanhire
Motorists will soon be required to purchase a radio license before obtaining a vehicle license or insurance cover, as part of the Second Republic’s efforts to modernize the law and capacitate the broadcasting sector.
The bill, presented by Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, seeks to align the Broadcasting Services Act with the Constitution and the Public Entities and Corporate Governance Act.
The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, explained that the bill will amend several sections of the Broadcasting Services Act to ensure alignment with the Constitution and the Public Entities and Corporate Governance Act.
“The enactment of the legislation will amend several sections of the Broadcasting Services Act [Chapter 12:06]. Of special mention is the amendment of section 2A of the principal Act on the role of the Broadcasting Services of Zimbabwe which is to regulate and manage the broadcasting services bands for sustenance rather than control of broadcasting service bands.”
“The Bill will also provide a new provision, which will prohibit the Zimbabwe National Road Administration and every motor insurance cover to sell a motor vehicle license and motor insurance policy respectively to individuals without the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation current radio license or an exemption certificate from the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation unless the vehicle to be insured is not equipped with a radio signal receiver,” he said.
Furthermore, the bill mandates the national broadcaster to broadcast 75% local content, while licensees with sports channels will be required to broadcast 50% local sports content.
“The Bill mandates the national broadcaster to broadcast 75% of the content as local content. Furthermore, the Bill will provide for a licensee with a sports channel to broadcast 50% of local sports content because sporting events are universal and international sports may bring commercial value to licensees,” said Dr. Muswere.
The government has been actively reforming Zimbabwe’s media landscape, promoting media diversity and increasing the number of players in the industry. Alongside the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill, the Media Practitioners Bill is also in development, aimed at standardizing training for journalists and enhancing professionalism in the field.
However, in a bid to curb crime and improve road safety, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has announced a nationwide being used to commit high crimes such as armed robbery and also illegal taxis (mushikashika).
“The Police has noted with concern that some of the vehicles moving on the roads without registration plates are being used as getaway cars by armed robbers and other motorists such as pirate taxis or mushikashika, who wantonly violate road rules and regulations as they cannot be traced.”
Commissioner Nyathi said the Central Vehicle Registry has enough number plates available, so there is no reason for drivers not to register their vehicles after importing them.
“The Police has been assured by the Central Vehicle Registry that they have adequate stock of number plates, therefore there is no excuse for motorists not to register vehicles after importation as stipulated under the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act, Chapter 13:13.”
Commissioner Nyathi urged motorists to avoid driving unregistered vehicles as it may lead to incidents which are can not be compensated.
“Such vehicles are not supposed to be driven on the roads until licensed and insured. Unlicensed and uninsured vehicles are a risk to lives and property as innocent people who get injured or lose life during mishaps cannot be compensated in terms of the law.”
“The Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act, Chapter 13:14 specifies that an acquired vehicle should have a change of ownership effected within two weeks and licensed thereof,” Nyathi added.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police wishes to clarify that it is in the interest of motorists and road safety that all vehicles moving on the country’s roads be fitted with permanent registration plates.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has intensified enforcement on all motor vehicles moving on the roads without permanent registration plates.
