The Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) is poised for a dramatic transformation as the government moves to strip the agency of its long-standing highway patrol and roadside inspection powers. Under sweeping reforms announced by Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona, the VID will soon be confined strictly to depot-based inspections, ending decades of direct involvement in traffic policing on Zimbabwe’s highways.
Speaking at a corporate governance workshop in Bulawayo, Minister Mhona revealed that the Ministry is finalising a new legislative framework that will fundamentally reshape the country’s road safety architecture. At the centre of these reforms is the dismantling of the current Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) and its rebirth as a powerful Road Traffic Safety Authority—an organisation expected to become the primary regulator and enforcer of road traffic laws.
The establishment of the new Road Traffic Safety Authority marks one of the most significant overhauls to Zimbabwe’s traffic management system in years. Unlike the existing TSCZ, whose mandate has largely been limited to education campaigns and awareness programmes, the upgraded authority will wield extensive enforcement powers traditionally associated with the VID and, in some cases, the police. Minister Mhona said the aim is to create a streamlined, centralised, and more effective approach to managing road safety across the country.
Transport Ministry Set to Remove Highway Patrol, Inspection Mandate from VID
“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,” Mhona said. This new enforcement arm—referred to simply as the Inspectorate—will be deployed onto Zimbabwe’s roads with full legal authority to perform duties that previously fell under multiple agencies.
The expanded mandate of the authority goes far beyond vehicle checks and traffic compliance. According to the Minister, the new body will also conduct infrastructure audits and exercise oversight over road authorities. This means its inspectors will not only deal with motorists but will also monitor road conditions, signage, lighting, and other infrastructure issues that contribute to accidents. The objective is to create a comprehensive road safety environment that addresses both human error and structural deficiencies.
These changes come amid years of public concern regarding overlapping mandates between road safety agencies and allegations of corruption linked to certain enforcement practices. The government believes that centralising roadside enforcement in a single, well-regulated institution will drastically reduce duplication of roles while also promoting accountability. By relocating the VID’s functions back to the depots, the Ministry hopes to restore professionalism in vehicle examinations, improve consistency, and remove opportunities for roadside corruption.
Minister Mhona was careful to emphasise that the reforms are not intended to create conflict or confusion, but rather to clarify roles and improve efficiency. He explained that the future traffic ecosystem will operate using a clearly defined two-tier structure: the VID will handle all stationary, technical inspections within its depots, while the Road Traffic Safety Authority’s Inspectorate will handle enforcement on the roads.
“The Inspectorate of the Traffic Safety Authority will have powers to stop, institute spot inspections and refer vehicles to the VID depots for inspection,” he said. “This will separate functions between the Traffic Safety Authority’s Inspectorate and the VID which should focus on inspections at the depots.” In practical terms, this means that while the new authority’s officers can pull over vehicles for immediate safety checks—such as brake lights, indicators, or tyre condition—any deeper mechanical or compliance verification will be conducted only by VID technicians at official depots.
This separation is intended to eliminate the confusion motorists often face when dealing with multiple agencies carrying out similar roadside duties. It also creates a chain of accountability in which the mobile Inspectorate identifies potential risks while the VID provides expert mechanical evaluation and certification. Officials believe this will lead to more credible, transparent, and traceable vehicle inspection processes.
The proposed reforms are expected to be incorporated into a dedicated Road Traffic Safety Authority Bill, which the Ministry is currently drafting. Once passed by Parliament, the bill will not only redefine institutional responsibilities but will also introduce a strict governance framework to ensure professional conduct within the new authority. This includes performance monitoring mechanisms, standardised training for inspectors, and enhanced oversight structures.
The government hopes the restructuring will ultimately produce a safer road environment, reduce corruption, and modernise Zimbabwe’s traffic management system in line with international best practices. For now, motorists should brace for a major shift in how roadside checks are conducted and who holds the authority to enforce compliance on the country’s highways.
Source- iHarare
