The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a nationwide operation targeting vehicles moving on the country’s roads without registration number plates as well as those illegally fitted with sirens, blue lights and other unauthorized gadgets.
In a press statement released on 10 March 2026, the police confirmed that the ongoing operation covers all categories of vehicles including family cars, company vehicles, government vehicles and public service vehicles.
According to the ZRP, authorities have raised concern over motorists who deliberately remove number plates in order to evade identification after committing crimes such as armed robberies, kidnappings, hit-and-run road traffic accidents and other traffic violations.
Police said some offenders also remove number plates to avoid accountability for offences such as driving against the flow of traffic, passing through red traffic lights and violating road lanes.
The law enforcement agency also expressed concern that some public service vehicles are removing registration plates to evade follow-ups on traffic offences, a development that has also been linked to road accidents in certain cases.
Authorities further warned against the illegal installation of sirens, blue lights and bar lights on private vehicles, noting that such equipment is strictly reserved for authorized emergency vehicles.
“The use of bar lights has also been noted to disturb the vision of other motorists at night, thereby endangering road users,” the police said.
The ZRP advised motorists that all vehicles operating without number plates will be impounded immediately and will only be released once the proper registration process has been completed.
The police urged motorists to comply with road regulations and ensure their vehicles are properly registered to avoid penalties during the ongoing nationwide operation.
