(Last Updated on January 18, 2016 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – Commuter omnibus owner exposed illegal provider of fake vehicle registration numbers after his vehicle was impounded during the Mushikashika operation being conducted police.
Enos Kaseke, owner of the ‘Chibaba’ Nissan registration (ADS 5743) revealed to H-Metro that one Boreman Mufandaedza registered his vehicle on his behalf and is the one who pays for the licensing.
Police discovered that the registration numbers are not found in the Central Vehicle Registration (CVR) system at a random check to impounded vehicles held at Chikurubi Support Unit.
A Toyota Hiace registration (ADS 7851) belonging to one Muvengi of Dzivarasekwa 4 was not also found in the CVR system along with a number of private vehicles impounded.
Contacted for comment Mufandaedza confirmed registering Kaseke’s vehicle saying he is withholding the registration book since he is still to pay his balance.
“Kaseke is not willing to pay my US$1200 balance and I heard that his vehicle is among those impounded by police,” said Mufandaedza.
“Ukaramba kubhadhara Mwari ndozvaanoita apa book remotokari ndini ndinaro zvakare manumber plates arimuzita rechitupa change, achanetswa nemapurisa vachida book remota haibude kusvikira andipa mari yangu.
“I facilitated the acquiring of that vehicle and he got it for peanuts but today he is refusing to answer my calls because of that balance,” said Mufandaedza.
Addressing journalists Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba flanked by Officer Commanding National Traffic warned members of the public to register their vehicles properly saying any vehicle found to be unlawfully acquired will be treated as a stolen property.
“The Mushikashika operation is going on in earnest and we are not going to stop until we get rid of these vehicles and so far we have recovered almost 200 vehicles,” said Snr Ass-Comm Charamba.
“Drivers are not taking heed of police calls and they continue to commit lawlessness on our roads without even considering that there are other people who have the rights to use roads so we are saying no to Mushikashika.
“If you want to engage in transport businesses please do the formalities and get registered as Taxis not as Mushikashika.
“If your vehicle is impounded and is not properly registered you will not be allowed to collect your vehicle.
“If the vehicle was unlawfully acquired we treat it as a stolen property and our Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS) will trace in their data base to see if the vehicle was stolen from the region since it is linked with Inter-national police (Interpol).
“As Zimbabwe Republic Police we work with other stakeholders and today we are with Central Vehicle Registration (CVR), Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) and our Traffic section.
“They are all working together to make sure that the proper procedure is followed since some are evading Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and VTS will trace for traffic offences.