Zimbabwe police have warned that selling a car without changing its registered owner could leave the seller in trouble. Commissioner Paul Nyathi says a person may still face legal blame for traffic violations linked to a car they no longer use.
The warning has sparked quite a debate online. Many Zimbabweans agree that car records need to be kept up to date, but the fees and delays have become a major gripe.
Here is where things get tricky. A buyer may take the car and start driving it, yet official records can still point to the seller. If that vehicle gets linked to an offense, the former owner could face questions from police.
Nyathi wants sellers to make sure the paperwork reflects who has the car after a deal. Leaving the old details in place can cause legal trouble later, even when another person is behind the wheel.
But people in the comments had a lot to say about the process itself. KingSam Chidamoyo claimed that a transfer can take three months and urged officials to cut that wait to two weeks. He also called for lower fees to help drivers comply.
Douglas Maringe raised a related point. If paperwork takes months, why not give car buyers and sellers a short-term document while they wait? He felt that a temporary fix could help during the delay.
Obey Goodzi went straight for the legal side. He questioned whether it makes sense to hold a past owner liable for an act they did not commit. Fair point to raise, given the risk described by police.
Then Emmanuel Ndlovu brought up the money issue. In his view, transfer fees are so steep that facing a penalty can seem cheaper. He even compared the cost of the paperwork to what someone might spend on another car.
Ronnie Madzvamuse had a simpler request. Make the process easier and cut the price. Ngoni Leeroy shared that concern, arguing that many people aren't refusing to comply. They just struggle with the expense.
Jayms Rusky called the whole process a nightmare. His point was that even people who want to follow the rules may keep driving with old registration details because the steps are such a hassle.
Jabulani Nyamasvisva also pushed back on the delays and costs. He argued that more people would complete transfers if officials made the service quicker and cheaper.
The comments show a clear split between what police expect and what motorists say they can manage. Authorities want accurate car records, while critics want a process that people can afford and finish without a long wait.
The warning has sparked quite a debate online. Many Zimbabweans agree that car records need to be kept up to date, but the fees and delays have become a major gripe.
Here is where things get tricky. A buyer may take the car and start driving it, yet official records can still point to the seller. If that vehicle gets linked to an offense, the former owner could face questions from police.
Nyathi wants sellers to make sure the paperwork reflects who has the car after a deal. Leaving the old details in place can cause legal trouble later, even when another person is behind the wheel.
But people in the comments had a lot to say about the process itself. KingSam Chidamoyo claimed that a transfer can take three months and urged officials to cut that wait to two weeks. He also called for lower fees to help drivers comply.
Douglas Maringe raised a related point. If paperwork takes months, why not give car buyers and sellers a short-term document while they wait? He felt that a temporary fix could help during the delay.
Obey Goodzi went straight for the legal side. He questioned whether it makes sense to hold a past owner liable for an act they did not commit. Fair point to raise, given the risk described by police.
Then Emmanuel Ndlovu brought up the money issue. In his view, transfer fees are so steep that facing a penalty can seem cheaper. He even compared the cost of the paperwork to what someone might spend on another car.
Ronnie Madzvamuse had a simpler request. Make the process easier and cut the price. Ngoni Leeroy shared that concern, arguing that many people aren't refusing to comply. They just struggle with the expense.
Jayms Rusky called the whole process a nightmare. His point was that even people who want to follow the rules may keep driving with old registration details because the steps are such a hassle.
Jabulani Nyamasvisva also pushed back on the delays and costs. He argued that more people would complete transfers if officials made the service quicker and cheaper.
The comments show a clear split between what police expect and what motorists say they can manage. Authorities want accurate car records, while critics want a process that people can afford and finish without a long wait.
