Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed into law a controversial bill that mandates all motorists to pay a $92 annual radio licence fee before acquiring vehicle insurance. The Broadcasting Services Amendment Act, recently passed by parliament, links radio licensing directly to motor insurance and licensing processes, aiming to enhance revenue for the struggling state broadcaster, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).
The new measure has sparked widespread criticism from motorists and opposition figures, who argue that it imposes an excessive financial burden amid harsh economic conditions. Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa called the law “draconian” and “heartless,” accusing the government of exploiting already overburdened citizens. Government officials, however, defend the law as necessary and fair, noting that only 800,000 of the country’s 1.2 million registered vehicles currently pay insurance. The ZBC, often accused of pro-government bias, depends heavily on licence fees and government grants, but has struggled with compliance. The new law prohibits insurers from serving motorists without a valid ZBC licence or exemption, a move aimed at sealing existing loopholes.
