Estimates put Government' s losses at several millions of dollars annually in servicing and fuel costs for its vehicle fleet.
The Sunday Mail understands that the tracking system monitors fuel consumption and the vehicle' s engine. This is meant to stop the theft of fuel and diversion of cars to unsanctioned routes.
The technology is also capable of detecting bad driving habits such as speeding, harsh braking and excessive idling.
The Central Mechanical and Equipment Department (CMED) is working hand in glove with TelOne, whose network platform is being used for the tracking system.
"Last year we rolled out an exercise of installing tracking devices on Government vehicles and we started with those in Harare," said CMED managing director Engineer Davison Mhaka.
"We will be rolling out the installation process to provinces once Harare-based vehicles are done. We have fitted close to 400 trackers on vehicles stationed in Harare.
"These include vehicles from the Ministries of Health and Child Care; Information Communication Technology and Courier Services; Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services; Energy and Power Development; Higher and Tertiary Education; Finance and Economic Development, and Local Government and Public Works."
Last year, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube directed that the management of all Government pool vehicles be transferred from individual Government ministries to CMED.
Eng Mhaka said CMED was also educating transport officers on how to use the new system.
"This year, we embarked on a mission of engaging officials in each ministry, educating them on the importance of the tracking system. The response is encouraging," he said.
Eng Mhaka, however, said some ministry officials were not cooperating.
"The response from some ministries has been slow though fitment only takes an hour per vehicle.
‘‘We strongly urge ministries that have not yet responded to our request for compliance to do so," he said.
