Repeal the Unjust Motorist Radio Licence Fee

A Petition to the Parliament of Zimbabwe, His Excellency the President, and Relevant Authorities.

End the Extortionate Radio Licence Levy – Restore Fairness and Uphold Constitutional Freedoms!

The recently enacted Broadcasting Services Amendment Act (No. 2 of 2025), signed into law by the President on or around May 23, 2025, has introduced an unjust and punitive $92 annual radio licence fee, forcibly levied upon Zimbabwean motorists. This Act, particularly its new Section 38B(4) which ties the payment of this fee to the essential services of vehicle licensing and insurance renewal, is an affront to the economic well-being of citizens, a violation of fundamental legal principles, and a grave concern for media freedom and diversity in Zimbabwe.

Why This Levy is an Outrage and Must Be Repealed

Economically Crippling and Discriminatory

In an economy where countless Zimbabweans face daily struggles to afford basic necessities, the imposition of an additional $92 fee is an unacceptable burden. This levy selectively targets motorists, a specific segment of the population, while sparing non-vehicle owners, creating a patently unfair and discriminatory situation. It exacerbates existing financial pressures from road tolls, fuel costs, and other licensing fees, transforming vehicle ownership – a necessity for many families, businesses, and livelihoods – into an unaffordable luxury. The projected annual revenue of up to $110 million, drawn from approximately 1.2 million vehicles, highlights the massive scale of this financial extraction from already strained household budgets.

Legally Questionable and an Abuse of Power

The mandatory linking of a radio licence to unrelated essential services like vehicle licensing and third-party insurance is a coercive tactic that raises serious legal and constitutional questions. This “tied levy” appears to be an arbitrary exercise of power, potentially infringing upon:

• Principles of Fair Taxation: Taxes and levies should be equitable, broad-based, and not unduly burdensome on a specific group without clear justification directly related to the service being funded. Forcing motorists to fund a state broadcaster, irrespective of whether they consume its services or even own a functioning radio, is a perversion of fair taxation principles.
• Freedom of Choice and Association: Citizens should not be indirectly coerced into funding a state broadcaster whose content they may not wish to receive or support. This Act effectively removes that choice.
• Administrative Justice: The process for obtaining an exemption certificate for vehicles without a radio has been described as lacking clarity and potentially cumbersome, requiring in-person applications and a non-refundable processing fee, which can be particularly burdensome for rural motorists. This lack of a clear, fair, and accessible exemption process may itself be a violation of administrative justice.
• Consumer Rights: Linking essential services to the payment of an unrelated fee restricts consumer rights and choices.

Undermining Media Freedom and Independence

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has a long-documented history of perceived bias and a lack of impartial, quality programming that serves the diverse interests of the Zimbabwean public. Funnelling substantial, guaranteed revenue directly to ZBC through this coercive levy, without robust mechanisms for public accountability and transparency in the use of these funds, further entrenches its dependence on the state and undermines genuine media independence.

Section 61 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe mandates that state-owned media be impartial and afford a fair opportunity for the presentation of divergent views. This new funding model, rather than promoting these constitutional ideals, risks making ZBC less accountable to the public and more beholden to the interests of the state, effectively creating a system where citizens are forced to fund propaganda.

The Act's stated objectives to promote freedom of expression are paradoxically undermined by a funding mechanism that stifles media plurality by disproportionately benefiting the state broadcaster over other potential media voices.

Lack of Transparency and Public Trust

There is a profound lack of transparency regarding how the millions generated by this fee will be utilized by the ZBC. Without stringent oversight and public reporting, this levy risks becoming another avenue for the misuse of public funds, further eroding citizens' trust in public institutions. Government assertions that the law is "necessary and fair" to boost ZBC funding and compliance ring hollow against the backdrop of public outcry and ZBC's perceived lack of value.

Our Demands – A Path Towards Justice and Media Diversity

WE Zimbabwe, united under the banner of WE Zimbabwe, demand:

• Immediate Repeal of the Motorist Radio Licence Fee: We call for the urgent repeal of Section 38B(4) of the Broadcasting Services Amendment Act (No. 2 of 2025) and the complete abolishment of this unjust $92 radio licence fee imposed on motorists.
• Fair and Equitable Funding for Public Broadcasting: Public broadcasting, if deemed essential, must be funded through transparent, equitable, and accountable mechanisms. These could include:
  • Direct, transparent, and audited parliamentary appropriations, subject to public scrutiny.
  • A significantly reformed ZBC that genuinely serves the public interest, thereby attracting advertising revenue based on merit and viewership, not coercion.
  • Consideration of diverse funding models from other democratic nations that do not unfairly burden a specific segment of the population or compromise media independence.
• Upholding Constitutional Rights: We urge the government and Parliament to ensure all legislation aligns with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, particularly concerning fair taxation, freedom of expression, media independence, and administrative justice.
• Promotion of Media Diversity and Community Voices: Instead of further empowering a perceived monolithic state broadcaster, we call for concrete steps to diversify Zimbabwe’s media landscape. This includes:
  • The swift and transparent licensing of independent community radio stations across the country, empowering local voices, fostering inclusive dialogue, and providing citizens with genuine choice in news and information.
  • Creating an enabling environment for independent media practitioners to thrive, free from undue financial or political pressures.

The Time for Action is NOW!

This petition is more than a list of grievances; it is a collective demand for justice, accountability, and respect for the Zimbabwean people. The government's primary duty is to serve its citizens, not to impose exploitative and unpopular levies that deepen hardship and erode fundamental freedoms.

By signing this petition, you join a growing movement of Zimbabweans who are resolute in holding our leaders accountable and building a nation where the welfare of the people and the integrity of our institutions come first. Each signature amplifies our collective voice, sending an undeniable message that this unjust law must fall.

We aim to gather 10,000 signatures to compel immediate reconsideration and action from our lawmakers and Head of State.

Act Now! Sign this petition and demand the repeal of the motorist radio licence fee!