Police Admit Traffic Camera System Is Sending Fines To Wrong Motorists
Zimbabwean police have admitted that the country’s automated traffic camera system is making mistakes, with innocent motorists receiving fines for offences involving vehicles they do not own. The government has acknowledged the problem after complaints were raised in Parliament, promising urgent action to address the errors.
Kazembe Confirms Errors In Zimbabwe’s Traffic Camera System
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe confirmed the problem during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
The admission followed concerns raised by legislators after motorists received mobile phone notifications accusing them of traffic violations involving unfamiliar vehicles.
Chikanga MP Senzeni Maposa told Parliament that some recipients had been sent registration details belonging to vehicles they did not own, including expensive cars.
Kazembe acknowledged that the system was producing incorrect notifications.
“It is true, we have evidence to suggest that the system is making mistakes, missing probably one digit,” the minister said in remarks reported by Kukurigo.
He explained that camera-detected offences were supposed to undergo verification before tickets were issued. However, the complaints suggest that some incorrect details were passing through the checks.
The minister said he had raised the matter with the Commissioner-General of Police and instructed officers to resolve the problem.
“We take responsibility and we are attending to it as a matter of urgency,” Kazembe told Parliament.
Motorists Told To Check Traffic Fine Videos Before Paying
Kazembe said motorists could use a link included in the SMS notifications to watch footage of the alleged offences before deciding what action to take.
He stressed that recipients were not expected to pay fines without first verifying the evidence. However, he acknowledged that police officers should have completed those checks before sending the notifications.
The minister also disclosed that the system had recorded approximately five million traffic violations, with between 10 and 20 complaints involving possible errors.
He estimated its accuracy at between 98% and 99%, while insisting that the reported mistakes still needed to be addressed.
MPs Question Compensation For Wrongly Fined Motorists
The errors prompted further questions from legislators, particularly about the inconvenience and potential costs faced by innocent motorists.
Chikanga MP Lynette Karenyi-Kore asked whether people who incurred transport expenses while challenging incorrect notifications would receive compensation.
Kazembe responded that motorists could access the video evidence remotely, meaning they did not necessarily have to travel to police stations.
MP Ropafadzo Makumire also urged authorities to address the shortcomings before relying fully on the technology.
The minister defended the initiative, explaining that it was developed by local telecommunications company TelOne as a home-grown solution.
He maintained that police were working to improve the verification process.
However, the parliamentary discussion did not establish whether motorists who had already paid incorrect fines would receive refunds.
The government has therefore acknowledged the problem, but questions remain about how affected motorists will be compensated and how the police will prevent similar mistakes in future.
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