When “No Plate, No Problem” Becomes the National Anthem
Harare – In a country where the law is supposed to be the law, Zimbabwe’s roads have turned into a bizarre “VIP” lounge for anyone sporting a ZANU‑PF badge. Forget the drama of a missed traffic light; the real spectacle is watching sleek, unregistered SUVs glide past toll gates like they’re on a private highway that only exists in the party’s manifesto.
Every morning, commuters in Harare and Mutare alike line up at red lights, clutching their expired discs and praying their broken headlights won’t earn them a fine. Meanwhile, a convoy of plate‑less, logo‑blasted vehicles rolls by, the drivers flashing a smile that says, “I’m with the party, so I’m above the law.” No tolls, no road tax, no insurance just a hearty “ZANU PF forever!” and a wave of the hand.
The pattern is as obvious as a traffic jam on the Fourth Street Rank: cars without number plates, radios blasting the latest ZANU‑PF rally anthem, and drivers who think “overtake on the left” is a constitutional right. Citizens report being stopped for a missing reflector, only to watch a party‑affiliated motorist zip past, honking a triumphant “Mugabe!” as if it were a license plate.
And it doesn’t stop at traffic infractions. Sources whisper that a growing number of known criminals some allegedly involved in armed robberies have swapped their getaway cars for party cards, discovering that a ZANU‑PF membership works better than a bulletproof vest. The party, it seems, has turned into a “get out of jail free” card that doubles as a shield against police scrutiny.
“It’s like the road rules are a suggestion for the rest of us,” muttered one harried commuter, who prefers anonymity lest his next fine be a “special” one. “If you’re in the party, you can park wherever you like even on the sidewalk during rush hour.”
The police, meanwhile, have been spotted looking the other way, perhaps hoping the problem will drive itself away or at least drive off a cliff. When asked about the growing law‑lessness, a senior officer replied, “We’re just following the traffic… of power.”
Zimbabwe’s leaders have long urged citizens to “lead by example.” Yet the example on display is a convoy of untouchable vehicles, flashing party colours like a badge of immunity. If the nation is to move forward, perhaps the first step is to revoke the “no‑plate, no‑problem” privilege and issue everyone from the vendor in Mutare to the high‑ranking official in a top‑of‑the‑range SUV a real license plate.
Until then, the only thing moving faster than those unregistered cars is the public’s patience.
For further comment, contact Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi at +263 772 278 161.
