Government to roll out ETMS cameras and electronic ticketing

Surveillance Cameras

The government will soon step up road traffic enforcement with the deployment of surveillance cameras and electronic ticketing as part of the Electronic Traffic Management System ETMS. Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Honourable Kazembe Kazembe said foundational work is largely complete and the programme is moving into implementation in major cities.

Infrastructure deployment, including the installation of surveillance cameras, is already underway. TelOne has placed orders for hardware while its local software team develops the management platform. Phase One is expected within the current quarter, and citizens should begin to see cameras and the first wave of electronic ticketing by May or June. Phase One will focus on urban centres where traffic volumes and road safety risks are highest. The minister said visible changes will appear within months as cameras go live and automated ticketing begins to operate. Authorities describe the rollout as a staged process with monitoring and adjustments after the initial deployment.

The system will use surveillance cameras and automated detection to identify traffic violations in real time. Detected offences will generate electronic tickets that are issued and managed through the ETMS platform. The aim is to reduce human error, speed up enforcement, and create an auditable record of violations. Public transport associations welcomed the initiative as a step toward restoring order and accountability on the roads. Ngoni Katsvairo, Secretary General of the Greater Harare Association of Commuter Omnibus Operators, said poor compliance by both public transport and private motorists has worsened road safety, and that effective implementation could bring discipline and reduce accidents.

Officials point to a pilot phase conducted last year, during which more than 1,000 drivers in Harare and Bulawayo were flagged for traffic light violations. Authorities say those results underline the need for a nationwide system to strengthen enforcement and improve road safety. Motorists can expect increased detection of common violations such as running red lights, illegal turns, and other signal offences. The ETMS will generate electronic tickets that follow a digital processing workflow. Drivers and fleet operators should prepare for stricter enforcement and ensure compliance with traffic laws.

Authorities will continue infrastructure deployment and software testing before expanding coverage. The ministry and implementing agencies will publish guidance on how tickets are issued, contested, and paid. Public education campaigns are expected to accompany the rollout to inform road users about the new system and compliance requirements.

ETMS rollout