Harare City Council on Wednesday claimed that police roadblocks caused traffic congestion across the city, saying they should be removed.
Posting on Twitter, the local authority singled out the Mbudzi roundabout as an example where a police roadblock was causing congestion along the busy Simon Mazorodze Road. The council said:
Council has requested ZRP to remove its roadblock just after Mbudzi roundabout because it is causing congestion at the busy traffic circle.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not be drawn into the matter yesterday. He said:
I am not aware of the statement issued by the council.
Cabinet recently established an inter-ministerial committee to tackle the congestion on many city roads.
The inter-ministerial committee recommended the elimination of pirate kombis and mushikashika, repairing urgently critical non-functioning traffic lights, improving traffic control at congested junctions, repairing road surfaces at junctions and putting in kerbs to prevent U-turns.
The government said it plans to import 667 buses to boost the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) fleet and providing dedicated bus lanes to curb traffic congestion.