Impound all cars with additional lights

HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Thank you Mr. President. My question will go to the loyal Minister. Mr. President, we are increasingly seeing buses and other public transport vehicles fitted with numerous additional lights on top and the bottom and around the vehicles, which sometimes use excessive light and flashing, being excessively bright. Can the Minister advise this House on what Government policy and regulations say regarding such additional lighting on public transport vehicles and particularly where the lights can dazzle and distract other motorists and potentially contribute to road traffic accidents? I thank you Mr. President. THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Thank you Mr. President. Let me also thank Hon. Senator Mlotshwa for that very important question, which is also disturbing. We did an awareness campaign through the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, through ZRP, to conscientise motorists that they must not put additional lights, especially on their bumpers. There was an operation before where police were actually impounding and also ticketing those offenders and this trend has been ongoing. Once again, it is my plea to our motorists that they must stick to the dictates of our road traffic regulations that we put in place. We will continue with that awareness, Mr. President Sir, but whoever is found on our roads with such a vehicle, that vehicle will be impounded and taken to our VID depots. Normally, you find that during the night, especially during night travel, that will then affect and disturb other motorists, resulting in some of these accidents that we are witnessing these days. I do want to thank Hon. Senator for raising this very important question and also reminding the citizens that we must make sure we protect ourselves, those who are using our roads so that during the night we do not affect other motorists. I thank you. HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Mr. President, if regulations already prohibit or control such lighting, why are we seeing so many of these vehicles freely operating on our roads, and what is being done to strengthen enforcement? I thank you Mr. President. HON. MHONA: Thank you Mr. President. I also want to thank Hon. Senator Mlotshwa since she has raised this again, I will engage my colleague Minister of Home Affairs, so that, in terms of our enforcement, together with our VID officers manning our roads, we up our game in terms of enforcement. I think this is what is needed so that we become tougher on those who are violating the regulations. I thank you. HON. SEN. MLISWA: Thank you Mr. President. My question is directed to Hon. Minister Mhona. As Government continues to invest significant resources in our roads, what mechanisms are in place to ensure that contractors are held accountable for the quality and durability of their work? This also includes contractors who are taken with the local authorities. In particular, does the Ministry have a system of post-completion inspections and defects liability before contractors are finally discharged? I thank you Mr. President.