Zimbabwe's New Radio Licence Law Sparks Outrage Among Motorists

Zimbabwe's new law requiring motorists to pay for a ZBC radio licence before renewing vehicle documents has sparked national outrage, with critics calling it unfair, outdated, and economically burdensome.

A controversial new broadcasting law in Zimbabwe is sparking widespread outrage as motorists are now required to obtain a valid Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) radio licence before renewing their vehicle insurance and road licences. The Broadcasting Services Amendment Act of 2025, which recently came into force, mandates that all vehicle owners pay US$30 per term for a ZBC radio licence—raising the total cost of compliance to US$90 per year.

The Zimbabwe National Road Authority (ZINARA), which is enforcing the law, has directed all licensing centres to withhold vehicle registration renewals from motorists who cannot present either a valid ZBC radio licence or an exemption certificate. Vehicle owners without functional car radios are required to personally visit ZBC offices to apply for exemption, a move many describe as bureaucratic and inconvenient.

The law, which was signed into effect by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in March 2025, has come under fierce criticism from motorists, civic organisations, and media rights groups. Advocacy organisations such as the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) have labelled the law as discriminatory and outdated, arguing that it unfairly targets motorists while failing to account for modern media consumption habits, particularly the growing number of citizens who access ZBC content through smartphones and other digital platforms.

“This is essentially a regressive tax on vehicle owners,” said a spokesperson for MISA Zimbabwe. “It forces compliance through coercion and punishes low-income earners who are already struggling with rising costs across all sectors.”

The timing of the law has also raised concern, as Zimbabwe continues to grapple with high inflation and widespread economic hardship. Many citizens fear the added financial burden will force some drivers to disable their radios or abandon attempts to legally renew their licences—potentially increasing the number of unlicensed vehicles on the road.

Despite the backlash, ZINARA insists the policy is in line with government directives and will remain in force until further notice. Motorists who fail to comply risk losing access to both insurance cover and roadworthiness certification, making them legally unfit to drive.

As public pressure mounts, rights groups are calling for urgent legal reforms to reflect modern broadcasting realities and to prevent what they describe as the unjust criminalisation of non-listening.