The government collected nearly US$18 million from the issuance of vehicle number plates between January and June 2025, Parliament has been told
Responding to questions in the National Assembly last week, Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Felix Mhona said total revenue generated from number plates during the six-month period amounted to US$13 790 915, with additional figures presented in a breakdown table bringing the combined total to approximately US$18 million.
The figures were revealed after Emakhandeni-Luveve MP, Descent Bajila, asked Mhona to inform the House of the total revenue generated from the issuance of number plates for the period January to June 2025.
According to the breakdown table presented in Parliament, collections were made through the Central Vehicle Registry, Zimpost and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority with the combined total reflected revenue of just under US$18 million over the six-month period.
Mhona said the revenue disclosures were in line with transparency and accountability principles.
“The question that has been raised by the Hon. Member is very important and this actually upholds the issues to do with transparency and accountability as enunciated in our supreme constitution,” he said.
However, Bajila pressed further, questioning why number plates had initially been priced so high and whether hovernment intended to reduce the cost given the significant revenue raised.
“I am looking at the figure of US$18 million that was raised from there. What was the justification for getting these number plates to cost so much?” Bajila asked.
In response, Mhona said the pricing had been part of broader fiscal measures to raise government revenue.
“The idea behind it was that through the minister of Finance, we have measures to raise our purse as a government,” he said.
“ This was one of the ways to make sure that we have one of our revenue streams,” Mhona said.
He added that the government later reduced the price after concerns were raised by members of the public.
“The listening government listened to people when they were saying the price was too high,” Mhona said. “This is why it had to be reduced to make sure that everyone is accommodated.”
In the same sitting, Parliament also heard that only two out of ten provincial Rent Boards are currently operational, raising concerns about tenant protection amid rising rental disputes.
Responding to another question from Bajila, then National Housing and Social Amenities minister, Zhemu Soda, said the Rent Board is established in terms of Section 23 of the Housing and Building Act (Chapter 22:07).
Soda explained that the Rent Board functions as a tribunal to preside over disputes between landlords and tenants relating to evictions and rent matters,” Soda said.
It comprises a chairperson, a valuer and other appointed members.
However, he revealed that only the Harare and Midlands Rent Boards are currently operational.
“In all other provinces, efforts are ongoing to identify suitable candidates to fill the vacant positions,” Soda said. “Adverts have been flighted, but there has often been little or no response.”
He added that although Rent Board clerks are present in all provinces to receive complaints, eviction cases and other disputes are referred to the nearest available offices or to provincial magistrates’ courts.
On the regulation of rent increases, Soda cited Section 39(4) of Statutory Instrument 32 of 2007, which stipulates that rent cannot be increased by more than 30% per annum.
He said the Rent Board only intervenes in cases where parties fail to agree on what constitutes fair rent.