President Emmerson Mnangagwa on May 27, 2025, signed into law an amendment to the Broadcasting Services Act that requires every motorist in Zimbabwe to pay an annual $92 radio levy to the state-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) before their vehicle can be registered or insured. The fee collected alongside licensing charges at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority’s ZIMRA offices compels motorists to either present proof of payment or obtain a stamped exemption certificate affirming they own no functional car radio. With roughly 1.2 million registered vehicles, the levy is projected to net ZBC over $110 million annually, a significant boost for a broadcaster grappling with a 50% drop in advertising revenues over the past five years.

Drivers and Activists Decry “Forced Propaganda”

The levy provoked immediate outrage among motorists’ associations, lawyers, and opposition politicians. The Zimbabwe Coalition of Transport Operators warned that, on top of rising fuel prices and high import duties on vehicles, the new radio tax amounts to an “unacceptable squeeze on commuters.” Media-freedom activist Rashweat Mukundu called it “daylight robbery,” noting that many Zimbabweans rely on online news platforms, social media, and independent radio stations rather than ZBC’s state-controlled broadcasts. Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa labeled the policy “draconian, anti-citizen, and punitive,” promising legal challenges. Commuter unions have threatened “mass non-compliance” and are preparing to file a court petition within weeks.

Government Defends Funding Model

Government spokesman Nick Mangwana defended the levy on social media and in televised briefings, arguing that ZBC’s public-service mandate has been undermined by commercial pressures. He pointed out that, since 2009, household television-license fees have funded ZBC’s operations, but those fees now cover only 20% of its annual budget. “This levy ensures that ZBC can continue producing local news, educational programming, and national broadcasts especially to rural areas without reliable internet,” Mangwana said. He also emphasized that the 2016 Constitutional Court ruling explicitly upheld ZBC’s right to collect receiver fees and rejected claims that the broadcaster exists merely as a mouthpiece for the ruling party.

Exemptions, Enforcement, and Penalties

Motorists seeking exemptions must apply in person at ZBC offices, sign a sworn declaration, and pay a non-refundable $5 processing fee. Those caught driving unlicensed or uninsured vehicles whether radio-equipped or not face fines of up to $200 or impoundment. Early reports indicate long queues at exemption counters and frustration among rural drivers who must travel miles to apply. The Road Traffic Act was also amended to empower police to inspect vehicles for radio-levy stickers during routine stops a change critics say will overburden law enforcement.

Broader Implications for Media Freedom

Critics argue that tying essential public services like vehicle licensing to state-broadcaster funding entrenches ZBC’s financial reliance on the government and stifles media plurality. Zimbabwe sits at last place in the 2024 Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index for southern Africa. Civil-society groups are calling for a mixed funding model including parliamentary appropriations and third-party grants to reduce ZBC’s dependence on coercive levies. They warn that, without reform, independent outlets will continue to be edged out, and public trust in broadcasting will erode further.

Economic and Social Context

Zimbabwe’s economy is grappling with annual inflation near 40%, frequent fuel shortages, and a depreciating currency. Transport costs have soared, with minibus fares up by 25% in the last six months alone. Many motorists say the new levy will be passed on to passengers, exacerbating the burden on low-income commuters. Small businesses reliant on delivery vehicles also warn of higher operating costs, potentially leading to price hikes for essential goods.

Looking Ahead: Legal Challenges and Public Response

Within days of the amendment’s gazetting, a coalition of human-rights lawyers and civil-society organisations announced plans to challenge the law’s constitutionality, arguing it violates the rights to fair taxation and freedom of expression. Meanwhile, motorists are urging a temporary stay on enforcement to allow dialogue between ZBC, government ministries, and transport stakeholders. How the Mnangagwa administration responds to this pushback whether by offering concessions, adjusting the levy, or enforcing penalties will be closely watched as a barometer of Zimbabwe’s wider economic and political climate.

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