Police have no right to drive impounded vehicles- Minister

Police have no right to drive off vehicles impounded by the municipal police when they are working together and any officer who does so does it on his own behalf and not the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi said on Thursday.

He was responding to a question by Senator Rorana Muchihwa who had asked what was the government policy on such officers because some of them did not have drivers’ licences.

“I would like to thank the hon. senator for the question which requires that we explain that it is not the duty of the Republic Police to be towing motor vehicles. It is the duty of the Municipal Police who then levy their fines and those fines go to their coffers.

“If there is a police officer who is assisting them in driving motor vehicles, he will be doing that on his own behalf not the Zimbabwe Republic Police,” Ziyambi said.

Q & A:

*SENATOR MUCHIHWA: Thank you Madam President for this opportunity. My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs. What is the Ministry’s policy over what is currently happening within the Police force where they work together with Council Police to impound vehicles? Sometimes, some of the Police officers do not have a drivers’ licence to drive the impounded a car and they take over from the driver and then drives the motor vehicle away. Is that in line with your policy?

*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (MR. ZIYAMBI): I would like to thank the hon. senator for the question which requires that we explain that it is not the duty of the Republic Police to be towing motor vehicles. It is the duty of the Municipal Police who then levy their fines and those fines go to their coffers. If there is a police officer who is assisting them in driving motor vehicles, he will be doing that on his own behalf not the Zimbabwe Republic Police. I thank you.

*SENATOR MUCHIHWA: My supplementary question is – if he is doing it on his own accord, what should we do as members of the public?

*MR. ZIYAMBI: Thank you hon. senator for the supplementary question which I have already responded to. I have said it is not their duty to tow motor vehicles because they do not have an impounding yard. If they are doing it, it is because there will be someone who has the power to take the impounded vehicle to the impounding yard. It is the duty of the Municipal Police and not the Zimbabwe Republic Police. They are empowered in terms of their by-laws to take the motor vehicles, impound them and levy a fine. You deposit that fine at municipal offices and not at the police charge office. I believe I have answered you. Thank Madam President.

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