Zimbabweans Clash With ZRP Over Online Traffic Offenders List
Zimbabweans are raising eyebrows and asking tough questions after the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) published a PDF list of traffic violators online. The list, generated by the new Electronic Traffic Management System, named and shamed motorists allegedly caught running red lights in central Harare. Instead of sending out individual notices, the ZRP appealed to the public to help track down the offenders — and many citizens are not impressed.
The list appeared on X (formerly Twitter) on 20 May 2025, sparking an online firestorm.
“
Has your vehicle been flagged? If your vehicle is listed, it has been captured by the Electronic Traffic Management System for violating traffic light regulations in central Harare. Please assist police with their investigations!”
— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana), May 20, 2025
But for many, the format of the list and the decision to make it public raised more questions than answers.
“Why post a PDF on Twitter?”
Social media users were baffled by the police’s method of reaching out to traffic offenders — posting an unsorted PDF online.
“Electronic Traffic Management System generating a PDF and coming to social media to look for offenders?”
— @kloudCoder
Another user, @Od_Chi3f, echoed similar sentiments:
“Embracing technology when you can’t even make your list readable. Who has time to go through that list just to check if they’re not on it?”
Others criticised the lack of integration with existing databases.
“The system ought to be linked to CVR records and be capable of generating a penalty notice to be delivered to owners,”
— @jhm1902
“No need for the person to report to @PoliceZimbabwe. Simply attach the penalty to the ZINARA database so the person is compelled to pay the fine before renewing their license,”
— @PeterKufa2
When asked why the list wasn’t better organised or automated, government spokesperson Nick Mangwana explained:
“It is [linked]. This was done to give publicity and act as a deterrence. It’s a way of raising awareness. Hanti we are talking about it? That’s the idea.”
— @nickmangwana
“It’s a mess. Just sort the list.”
Many Zimbabweans were frustrated by how difficult it was to find their plate numbers in the document.
“Nick, as a government institution, can’t ZRP afford simple mechanisms to capture, process & present data? What does it take to have those plates in alphabetical order?”
— @Manhize_53
“A simple Excel sort would have helped us look for our reg numbers properly. Wozoti watiza summons dzemapurisa because you genuinely didn’t see your car nekuti list harina order!”
— @Call_Me_Wellie
Others saw it as a reflection of poor implementation.
“This should be so easy when matching number plates to the central database. Even if it is run on Excel. LOL. Why come to the sosh?”
— @begottensun
Some went as far as to question the competence of the police.
“Even the police in Zimbabwe is f***ing uneducated. How you expect a person to see their plate number when you just randomly write them down like that?”
— @tanaka__bn
“Good step — but where’s the efficiency?”
Despite the criticisms, some Zimbabweans supported the broader idea of using technology to catch traffic offenders.
“This is a good move. Well done. It was long overdue. Just install more cameras on the main highway too. Reckless drivers are a danger to the people,”
— @OMtyambizi
Others offered practical alternatives.
“Create an app where people can enter their details including their plate number, and it sends them an alert when they make an offence. Then they can report to the police or whatever. This publishing just seems like it’s breaching data protection,”
— @Paidamoyowavo
Still, the general sentiment was that the system has promise — but needs better execution.
“Thanks to the government of Zim for the system upgrade. However, isn’t there a way to integrate the system with ZINARA so one pays the fine before renewing their vehicle license?”
— @4thepeople263
As the debate rages on, Zimbabweans are united on one point: the technology is welcome — but the process needs a serious upgrade.
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The post “Do Better”: Zimbabweans React to ZRP’s Electronic Traffic Management System List of Offenders appeared first on iHarare News.
