The City of Harare has officially integrated its Public Safety Division, which includes the Harare Metropolitan Police and Traffic Enforcement Unit, into the Chamber Secretary Department as part of sweeping reforms aimed at modernizing the city’s traffic management and public safety operations. Central to this transformation is the introduction of a pilot automated enforcement system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor, detect, and respond to traffic violations in real time.
The pilot system, currently being tested at the intersection of Jaison Moyo Avenue and Simon Muzenda Street, is already delivering measurable results. According to city officials, AI-powered cameras deployed at the site are capturing line-crossing violations and seatbelt non-compliance incidents, with more than 3,600 vehicles cited weekly for crossing designated stop lines. In addition, the system enables the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to record around 500 daily violations related to red-light running, mobile phone use while driving, and failure to wear seatbelts.
Acting Chamber Secretary Warren Chiwawa, speaking to The Herald, said the initiative demonstrates the city’s commitment to embracing smart technologies that promote safety, order, and efficiency in the capital’s increasingly congested Central Business District (CBD). He emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach between municipal authorities and national stakeholders in fully implementing the system citywide.
“We are not the only stakeholder performing enforcement duties on our roads,” said Mr. Chiwawa. “There is need for the City of Harare to join hands with other stakeholders. We have a pilot project for automation at the corner of Jaison Moyo and Simon Muzenda to demonstrate the efficiency of the system at the site.”
Harare Embraces AI-Powered Traffic Enforcement Amid Surge in Vehicle Numbers
The city plans to expand the system through a multi-agency integrated enforcement platform that would link real-time data sharing and operations between the Public Safety Division, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA), and other regulatory bodies. The proposed platform will streamline enforcement, reduce traffic congestion, and bolster road safety throughout Harare.
Mr. Chiwawa stressed that the shift to automation has become necessary given the unprecedented increase in the city’s vehicle population, which has soared from around 10,000 to over 2 million vehicles traversing the city daily. Despite this dramatic surge in traffic, the city’s road infrastructure has remained largely unchanged, exacerbating congestion, lawlessness, and driver frustration.
“I wish to introduce automation in the enforcement of traffic bylaws based on the fact that the volume of traffic has increased dramatically in recent times,” Chiwawa explained. “Our road infrastructure has not changed, hence the need to automate the Central Business District to maintain order.”
The Acting Head of Public Safety, Martin Chimombe, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the importance of leveraging advanced technology to enhance law enforcement capabilities and ensure real-time response to urban challenges.
“There are many situations in town that now require the use of technology,” said Chimombe. “When we compare ourselves with other countries such as South Africa, we see that embracing innovation is essential to maintaining public order and creating a safe urban environment.”
He added that the automated systems would work in tandem with existing infrastructure like traffic pylons and CCTV to help authorities detect both traffic offences and broader criminal activity. This is expected to not only improve compliance with traffic regulations but also assist in addressing urban crime and public disorder.
City officials say that feedback from the pilot project will guide the rollout of the broader citywide implementation plan. Additionally, Harare will embark on a public awareness campaign to educate motorists about the changes, promote voluntary compliance, and explain the benefits of the automated system.
While the initiative has been welcomed by many city residents and road safety advocates, some have urged the city to ensure the protection of personal data and avoid over-commercialization of the enforcement process. In response, Harare officials say that data privacy safeguards and transparent fine structures will be built into the system to promote fairness and accountability.
The move aligns with a broader trend across Africa, where cities are increasingly turning to smart solutions to address traffic congestion, law enforcement inefficiencies, and rising urbanization challenges. Harare’s AI-powered traffic enforcement system marks a significant step toward modern urban governance, where technology and public safety intersect to build a more orderly and livable city.
If successfully implemented, the project could serve as a model for other Zimbabwean cities seeking to digitize enforcement and improve urban mobility in an era of rapid growth.
