A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (the Forum) has urged the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) to consider suspending penalties for motorists who failed to renew their vehicle licences by March 31, 2020, saying they were hindered by the lockdown.

A statement released by the Forum read in part:

The Zimbabwe National Roads Administration is demanding penalties of $150 from motorists who failed to renew their vehicle licences by the 31st of March 2020, when the licence registration term expired.

Zinara closed its offices from March 30, 2020, when the lockdown commenced and remained closed until May 4.

As a result, members of the public whose vehicle licences expired on March 31, 2020, were unable to renew.

The Forum has since written to Zinara demanding a reversal of the penalties for those affected by the lockdown.

In particular, the Forum noted in the communication to Zinara that Zinara placed an advert in the local media advertising few places in Harare only where licensing of motor vehicles could be done during the lockdown period.

However, only motorists with vehicles engaged in essential services, or those permitted to move by the regulations could renew their licences.

-Daily News