Chamisa condemns new radio licence law as ‘draconian’ and ‘heartless’

HARARE – Former opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has criticized the newly enacted Broadcasting Services Amendment Act (No. 2 of 2025), which mandates motorists to acquire a radio licence before renewing their vehicle licences or insurance.

Chamisa described the law as “too draconian, anti-citizens and outrightly heartless.”

The new legislation, signed into law by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and published as General Notice 1034 of 2025, aims to bolster revenue for the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) by enforcing compliance with radio licence payments.

Under Clause 15 of the amended act, the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) and insurers are now prohibited from issuing vehicle licences or motor insurance policies without proof of a valid ZBC radio licence or an exemption.

Chamisa, however, raised concerns about the accumulating financial burden on citizens, highlighting that car owners already contend with fees for ZINARA, insurance, and toll gates.

He questioned the sustainability of such multiple levies and expressed dismay at what he perceives as a lack of empathy from the country’s leadership.

“A new law requiring motorists to buy radio licence before renewing their vehicle licences that has been signed into law is too draconian, anti-citizens and outrightly heartless,” Chamisa stated.

He further asked: “So a person who owns a car pays Zinara, ZBC Insurance and toll gate, how are people supposed to survive? When shall all this end?

“Citizens are being pauperized left, right and centre. Why does the citizenry of this country deserve so uncaring & heartless a leadership?

“What are people supposed to do with all this cruel taxation? Why must I pay for a service I don’t use? Why should I pay for partisan propaganda, where I am attacked in person and demonized from dawn to dusk?

“Do we have a Parliament in Zimbabwe? Which other country does this to her citizens? Is this not naked provocation? Is Zimbabwe not a crime scene?”

The new law projects significant revenue for ZBC, with an estimated 1.2 million registered vehicles in Zimbabwe. At US$23 per quarter (US$92 annually), ZBC could potentially collect up to US$73.6 million annually from compliant motorists.

However, the Act does provide a loophole for drivers who genuinely do not possess a radio in their vehicles.

They can sign a declaration to that effect and obtain an exemption certificate from ZBC to proceed with their vehicle licence renewal without incurring the radio licence fee.