Motorists who have been ignoring traffic rules at major Harare intersections, believing traffic cameras were not yet enforcing violations, could soon face a costly reckoning as traffic offences already captured on camera will be enforced retrospectively.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Kazembe Kazembe, said the electronic traffic management system is fully operational and has been recording traffic violations since it was activated earlier this year.
Although fines are not yet being issued, Kazembe said the delay was administrative and would not erase offences already captured by the system.
The government is currently finalising arrangements between the police, Treasury and TelOne on the financial mechanism for collecting and administering fines, he said.
Once the arrangements are concluded, motorists identified through the system will be required to account for their recorded violations.
Kazembe said police had already compiled a register containing details of offenders, supported by video evidence of breaches including running red lights and using mobile phones while driving.
The scale of the violations has raised concerns over road discipline in the capital.
Home Affairs permanent secretary Raphael Faranisi said about 1.1 million vehicles had been flagged for possible traffic violations by the beginning of this month.
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However, authorities are undertaking a verification exercise before enforcement begins to ensure that motorists are not penalised for erroneous records.
Faranisi said some apparent violations could have occurred while intersections were under the control of police officers, while unclear road markings could also have contributed to questionable records.
The verification process is intended to separate genuine offences from circumstances that may have affected motorists’ compliance.
Despite the cameras, some public transport operators continue to violate traffic regulations at heavily monitored intersections.
Kombis and mushikashikas have reportedly continued picking up passengers and operating illegally at locations such as Jason Moyo Avenue and Fourth Street, while some kombis using the Chitungwiza illegal rank have continued operating around Julius Nyerere Way and Robert Mugabe Road.
The cameras are designed to detect a range of offences, including speeding, ignoring traffic lights and road signs, using mobile phones while driving and failure to wear seatbelts.
The government plans to install more than 300 cameras in Harare before extending the electronic traffic management programme to Bulawayo, Mutare and other major urban centres.
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