Toll Roads (National Road Network) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 16)

These regulations create a two-tier toll system and tighten enforcement, with effect from 1 January 2024. They amend the Toll Roads (National Road Network) Regulations, 2009 (S.I. 39 of 2009).

A new class of "premium road" is defined by reference to a list of specific tolling points. The Fourth Schedule is replaced with two rates for every vehicle class. Motorcycles remain exempt. A light motor vehicle pays US$3,00 on ordinary roads and US$4,00 on premium roads; a minibus US$5,00 and US$6,00; a bus US$6,00 and US$8,00; a heavy vehicle US$8,00 and US$10,00; and a haulage truck US$15,00 and US$20,00.

The premium tolling points are named. On Harare–Mutare: the 24km peg before the Goromonzi turn-off, the 34,5km peg, the point before Crocodile Motel at Rusape, and the point after Riverside at Odzi. On Harare–Gweru: after the Norton flyover, after Kadoma, and the 258km peg before Gweru. On Harare–Masvingo: before Skyline, Mushagashi, and Honeyspruit before Chivhu. On Gweru–Bulawayo: Tree Top at the Somabula turn-off and the 146,5–147,5km peg. On Bulawayo–Plumtree: before the ZRP/hotel turn-off at Figtree. On Masvingo–Beitbridge: Lutumba, the Chivi turn-off and the Mwenezi peg near Rutenga.

Residents living within a 10km radius of a tollgate in their jurisdiction get a discounted structure. The undiscounted daily toll is US$3 on ordinary roads and US$4 on premium roads, and the undiscounted monthly return-journey toll is US$150 and US$200. With the 90% residential discount, the monthly residential rate is US$15 on ordinary roads and US$20 on premium roads, and the quarterly rate US$60 and US$80. A holder of a residential discount exemption certificate is limited to two passages per day on that certificate.

Enforcement is strengthened in three ways. An authorised person may now deny passage through a tolling point to any vehicle with an expired or missing vehicle licence under the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act — so the tollgate becomes a licence checkpoint. Anyone who wilfully damages, defaces or alters tolling infrastructure is liable for its replacement cost as determined by the Road Fund, and anyone involved in an accident that damages tolling infrastructure is liable for the repair. ZINARA is expressly authorised to construct, repair and renovate tolling infrastructure, including road approaches, within a 1km radius of any tolling point.

A new exemption is added for vehicles belonging to ZINARA Board members for the duration of their appointment, and for any other institution or person ZINARA approves — capped at two vehicles per institution or person.