VID Set To Lose Highway Patrol And Inspection Powers

The Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) is set to have its wings severely clipped as the government plans to stop their highway patrol and inspection powers. A bold new plan from the government will see the VID confined to conducting inspections solely within its depot walls, stripping it of its long-held authority to patrol the country’s highways. The announcement, which signals the most significant change to traffic policing in years, was delivered by the Transport Minister, Felix Mhona, at a corporate governance event in Bulawayo.

The Minister revealed that the Ministry is currently drafting new legislation that will fundamentally transform the existing Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ). This body will be reborn as a robust Road Traffic Safety Authority, a new lead agency with sweeping powers. This move is designed to centralise road safety enforcement under a single, powerful banner, leaving the VID with a more specialised, depot-based role.

The Birth of a New Road Authority

The newly envisioned Road Traffic Safety Authority will be a formidable force on Zimbabwe’s tarmac. Unlike its predecessor, which focused primarily on promotional campaigns, this new entity will have the full might of the law behind it. Its inspectors will be empowered to actively enforce traffic regulations directly on the roads, a function previously associated with the VID. Minister Mhona laid out the extensive mandate for the new authority, stating, “The Ministry is working on a law to transform the TSCZ from being a traffic safety promotional institution to a Road Traffic Safety Authority with the Inspectorate armed with the powers to stop and inspect vehicles, issue tickets, investigate accidents and proffer recommendations to eliminate recurrence.”

Furthermore, the authority’s responsibilities will extend beyond moving vehicles. The Minister confirmed it will also wield “other regulatory powers such as road infrastructure audits and oversight over road authorities.” This suggests a comprehensive approach to safety, targeting not just driver behaviour but also the condition of the roads themselves.

Clarifying the Roles: No Duplication of Duties

Amid potential concerns over a clash of responsibilities, Minister Mhona was quick to assure the public and stakeholders that the new system is designed for clarity and efficiency, not duplication. He explained that the new Inspectorate and the VID will have distinctly separate functions, creating a two-tiered system of checks and balances. The VID will become the ultimate technical checkpoint, while the new authority will act as the mobile enforcement arm.

“The Inspectorate of the Traffic Safety Authority will have powers to stop, institute spot inspections and refer vehicles to the VID depots for inspection,” Minister Mhona elaborated. He continued, “This will separate functions between the Traffic Safety Authority’s Inspectorate and the VID which should focus on inspections at the depots.” This means officers from the new authority can pull over a vehicle for a roadside check, but if a more detailed mechanical inspection is required, they will direct the driver to the nearest VID depot for a professional assessment.