By Edson Mapani
The Managing Director of the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), Mr Munesu Munodawafa (pictured) has emphasised the need to educate people about the outdated belief that the Defensive Driving Certificate (DDC) is only for bus and truck drivers who are Class 1 and 2 licence holders.
He said the DDC is mandatory for the two categories, but is also a requirement for all drivers seeking to improve their road safety skills.
“Previously, if somebody left the village to say they wanted to go for DDC, you would know they wanted to be either a bus driver or a truck driver. Otherwise, why do DDC? That thought process needs to change,” he said.
Munodawafa added that although the law currently makes it mandatory for Class 1 and 2 licence holders to have DDCs, the TSCZ wants the requirement to be extended to all licence holders.
“Though the law says it is mandatory for those two classes, we are determined to change it. Because somehow, when I am asleep, I pray for the day we wake up and one word or one voice with authority declares that DDC is now compulsory, because we still all interact on the roads. I know my prayer will be answered one day,” he said.
He was speaking in his keynote address during the launch of the DDC Online Booking System.
Meanwhile, Munodawafa described the launch as a milestone, saying the online booking system was part of the council’s continued transformation and adoption of technology to improve the way it serves its clients.
“We are taking our services closer to the people by responding to the needs of our clients. We are committed to making our services more accessible, efficient and convenient,” he said.
Munodawafa also urged drivers to be cautious and exercise safety on the roads, noting that road safety should be a personal responsibility rather than something achieved solely through enforcement.
“I want to encourage everyone that you don’t need the law to force you to be safe. You don’t need a policeman, armed even, to try to force you to stay alive and uninjured — just do the right thing!” he said.
He said the introduction of the DDC online booking and payment system was done “in context and guided by our leadership thought process which says, as we develop, we should leave no one and no place behind.”
Munodawafa hailed the partnership with Paynow, acknowledging the company for working with TSCZ to develop a product that seeks to address the inconveniences previously faced by Zimbabweans when making bookings and payments for DDCs.
He also commended the ICT team in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development for a job well done.
Prior to devolution, TSCZ operated in six provinces. The transformation process has seen TSCZ expanding its presence across the country. In 2024, the council moved into Mashonaland East, followed by Mashonaland Central in 2025, while Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South were subsequently opened.
To date, TSCZ has a presence in all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe.