Motorists receive camera alerts as police warn against fine collectors

Motorists have begun receiving mobile-phone notifications for traffic violations recorded by smart cameras, with police warning that no private agents have been appointed to collect fines on their behalf.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police says the Smart Traffic Management System is operating in selected central business districts. A camera-recorded violation prompts a notification to the vehicle's registered owner, who can then access details of the alleged offence.

Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi has urged motorists to keep vehicle ownership records current. Someone who has sold a vehicle but left the registration unchanged risks receiving notices relating to its subsequent use.

The rollout makes the distinction between a genuine police notification and a payment demand from an intermediary particularly important. Police say they have not contracted agents to collect fines, either in person or electronically.

Check a notice before making a payment

An official notice should be checked against the vehicle and incident it describes. A message addressed to an owner is not, by itself, a complete explanation of who was driving or the circumstances of the recorded event.

Motorists who need assistance can approach police traffic offices rather than relying on someone offering to settle a matter for them. The police announcement lists designated stations in Harare and surrounding areas as alternatives to the online service.

The new announcement follows a separate warning in September about a website falsely claiming to represent the traffic system. At that time, police told the public not to register, pay money or submit personal information through the unauthorised site.

That warning covered identity and driving-licence details, vehicle registration information and banking credentials. Police also cautioned against downloading files or applications from the disputed platform.

The September warning does not mean every later traffic-service announcement is false. It does show why an unfamiliar message should be checked through independently obtained police contact details before money or sensitive information changes hands.

Ownership records matter

For drivers receiving a notice this week, the first practical checks are the registration number, the reported incident and the ownership details held on record.

Anyone disputing a notification should seek clarification from the responsible police office. The announcement does not establish that every camera-recorded incident will be resolved through the same procedure, or that every allegation can be settled by making a payment.