The ManicaPost
Wheels-On With Abel Zhakata
THERE is a general outcry among the motoring public in Zimbabwe who feel that they are being charged exorbitantly in changing vehicle ownership.
The issue is not about the fees charged by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority but the constant buying of number plates.
When one changes ownership, you are automatically required to buy new number plates which cost US$160 and the figures are high if you want personalised ones.
What it means is that if a vehicle exchanges hands six times in a year a total of $960 is splashed on number plates only.
The net result of this is that the bulk of cars on our roads today are not in the names of their real owners. They are still registered in the names of persons who either shipped them into the country or who bought them brand new in Zimbabwe.
Some of the vehicles’ registration books are still bearing the names of deceased persons who once owned them, but the vehicles have now changed owners nine times.
This situation becomes difficult for an owner , maybe the tenth one, who wants to register the car in his or her name.
You have to trace everything back to the person whose name is on the book and try to convince them to write you an agreement of sale which purports that you bought the car direct from him or her. This is not done for free for at times these people demand some money to write you the agreement of sale. What it means is that if this vehicle was somewhat used in the commissioning of a crime sometime back the police will trace it to you yet the car was at one time used by one John who did not bother to change ownership. When that happens you will be in a fix for you have to show the law enforcement agents that before you assumed ownership of the vehicle it was owned by so and so.
Vehicle insurance companies have also been forced to bend some of their rules with respect to ownership of cars.
In order to remain in business in the wake of motorists who no longer want to change car ownership, most insurance companies are now accepting comprehensive insurance premiums from clients with vehicles not registered in their names.
What they require is an agreement of sale which shows that you bought the car from the previous owner.
What do you have to say about this new trend?
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