Story by Oleen Ndori
THE Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has unveiled artificial intelligence-powered licensing enforcement vans designed to improve compliance and strengthen collaboration with the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) and the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID).
The introduction of the smart vans is expected to ease congestion at checkpoints while enhancing operational efficiency within the national broadcaster’s licensing regime.
Equipped with AI-powered camera systems, the vans are capable of automatically reading vehicle number plates and detecting whether motorists have valid ZBC radio licences, ZINARA licences and Vehicle Inspection Department certification. The system enables compliant motorists to proceed without unnecessary delays, while only non-compliant vehicles are flagged for inspection.
ZBC Head of Licensing, Mr Wisdom Samanyayi, said the technology addresses long-standing enforcement challenges.
“As far as the equipment we have, this AI-powered camera system has the ability to read the number plate and determine whether the vehicle has a valid ZBC licence or a valid exemption licence. In the past, some motorists would declare that they did not have a radio in their vehicle to obtain an exemption, only to later refit the radio. With this system, inspectors or police can verify exemption claims more effectively,” he said.
He added that the digital system also improves accountability and precision in deployment, as enforcement data is automatically recorded and tracked.
ZBC has partnered with 1010 Technologies to roll out the initiative, with the technology firm emphasising operational efficiency, data integrity and revenue assurance as key benefits.
Chief Executive Officer of 1010 Technologies, Mr Charles Wekwete, said the AI-driven system gathers compliance statistics automatically as vehicles pass through checkpoints.
“If a thousand vehicles pass a checkpoint in a day, the system provides accurate statistics on compliance levels. The data becomes a permanent record that cannot be altered at the roadblock or erased at the backend, ensuring revenue assurance,” he said.
He noted that the system reduces inconvenience to compliant motorists, as only non-compliant vehicles are stopped and offered the opportunity to regularise their licences on the spot. The vans also detect non-compliance relating to ZINARA licensing and fitness requirements for public service vehicles such as commuter omnibuses and buses.
ZBC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sugar Chagonda, said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to modernise operations and enhance service delivery.
“We are excited because this brings convenience to the motoring public while plugging revenue leakages. It enhances operational efficiency. As ZBC, we have adopted a deliberate policy of continuous retooling to build internal capacity and fulfil our mandate effectively,” he said.
Mr Chagonda added that the broadcaster has also expanded its operational fleet to strengthen news coverage and ensure no area is left behind in reporting national development initiatives.
The unveiling of the AI-powered enforcement vans underscores the information sector’s drive to integrate technology in service delivery, enabling ZBC to enhance efficiency while fulfilling its mandate to inform, educate and entertain the nation.
