Police have declared that only officially registered kombis with valid documents will be allowed to operate as public service vehicles. This is part of the ongoing operation called “No to mushikashika and lawlessness on the roads.”
In a statement on January 28, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged travelers not to board dilapidated kombis, especially those without registration plates or with windows covered by cardboard or other materials.
Nyathi said the ZRP is taking strong action against unregistered kombis that are currently picking up passengers along the Chitungwiza-Harare Central Business District route and dropping them off before the Seke Bridge. The statement reads:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police expresses appreciation to the public for the support and cooperation given towards the ongoing operation, “No to mushikashika and lawlessness on the roads”.
The Police reiterates that only duly registered kombis with all the relevant and verifiable documents will be allowed to carry passengers from one point to another as public service vehicles.
In this regard, no unregistered kombis or pirate taxis will be allowed to conduct business as public service vehicles.
The Police urges all kombi owners to lead by example and ensure that anyone intending to operate a public service vehicle business duly complies with the country’s road rules and regulations.
In other words, all kombis moving on the roads must be registered and licenced through the Government relevant arms.
On the other hand, the Police implores passengers or the travelling public not to board ramshackled or dilapidated kombis including those with no registration plates or with windows or screen covered by cardboard boxes and other materials.
The public should also assist in the promotion of public safety by not boarding or waiting for transport at undesignated points as the practice disrupt the smooth flow of traffic.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police Command is taking decisive action on corrupt elements within the rank and file of the Police.
This include some unregistered kombi operators who are now working in cahoots with unruly elements to perpetuate corrupt activities on the roads.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is taking decisive action on unregistered kombis which are now picking passengers on the Chitungwiza -Harare Central Business District route and dropping them before the Seke Bridge.
The Commissioner-General of Police, Stephen Mutamba has directed Police Commanders to ensure that duly registered and compliant kombis are allowed passage at Police check points without being inconvenienced.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

Police want people to only use registered kombis with the right papers. They don't want passengers to use unsafe kombis with no registration plates or covered windows. The police are cracking down on illegal kombis picking up passengers and dropping them off illegally. They are also warning against corrupt activities on the roads. The police want everyone to follow the rules and ensure safety on the roads. Passenger should not use illegal kombis and should only wait at designated points for transport. The police are working to make sure only legal kombis are allowed to operate.

Police Urge Commuters To Avoid Boarding Rickety And Unregistered Kombis

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has reassured motorists that they will not face arrest or inconvenience at roadblocks as long as they adhere to the country’s road rules and regulations.
This comes in response to concerns raised by some motorists about unnecessary delays during the ZRP’s “No to Mushikashika, Pirate Taxis and Lawlessness on the Roads” operation.
ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the operation targets those picking up and dropping passengers at undesignated points, creating imaginary lanes, and operating without proper permits or vehicle fitness. The goal is to ensure road safety and order for all motorists.
Commissioner Nyathi encouraged all drivers to follow traffic rules and cooperate with police officers to maintain a smooth and safe driving experience.
He also warned that anyone attempting to bribe police officers would face stern action. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police notes and appreciates the varied comments on social media by the public and interested groups on the operation, “No to Mushikashika, Pirate Taxis and Lawlessness on the Roads”.
In this regard, the Police implores all motorists to be law-abiding citizens by exhibiting good driving conduct on the roads.
The current operation will target everybody who is posing as a danger to other innocent motorists by causing congestion, picking and dropping passengers at undesignated points, creating imaginary lanes, driving against the flow of traffic (one-way) and those operating as Public Service Vehicles but they do not have relevant permits, route authority and vehicle fitness.
The Police is aware that some kombi operators and crew have removed red plates and are now operating with yellow plates while playing hide and seek with law enforcement officers.
The Police will therefore arrest anyone engaged in reckless driving conduct irrespective of the fact that one is driving a company vehicle, family vehicle or Public Service Vehicle. The law is the law. Let us all comply for the effective maintenance of law and order in the country and road safety.
In the same vein, those motorists who will try to bribe Zimbabwe Republic Police members will face stern action.
Transporters or public service vehicle operators should ensure that their drivers follow the law and are exemplary on the roads.
All in all, no one will be arrested or inconvenienced by the Police as long as one is driving properly and following the country’s road rules and regulations.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that all Zimbabweans should cooperate with Police officers deployed for this operation in order to promote road safety for all.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is cracking down on illegal taxis and dangerous driving. They want everyone to follow the road rules to keep everyone safe. The police will target anyone causing problems on the roads, like blocking traffic or driving recklessly. They are especially looking out for pirate taxis and mushikashika operators. The police are warning against bribing officers and remind everyone to cooperate with them. As long as people drive safely and follow the rules, they won't have any problems with the police. It's important for everyone to work together to make the roads safe for everyone.

ZRP Cracks Down On Mushikashika, Pirate Taxis And Road Lawlessness

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) and the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) have launched an operation to “stop and search” vehicles on major highways during the festive season.
Speaking at the festive season road safety awareness campaign launch in Harare, ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they want to minimise road traffic accidents. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200020958/police-vid-tscz-launch-traffic-blitz">NewsDay</a> quoted Nyathi as saying:
<blockquote>
I want to reiterate, that we will take action. It is not about just driving. It is being safety conscious and responsible on the country’s roads.
We need our drivers to change their attitudes and realise that they play a key role in terms of the safety of Zimbabweans and visitors during the festive period.
</blockquote>
Transport and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister Joshua Sacco urged the VID to enforce “all aspects of vehicle fitness, with particular emphasis on public transport”. Added Sacco:
<blockquote>
Law enforcers must do their work without fear or favour, and I expect that the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) will provide adequate resources to create a conducive environment for the festive season road safety awareness campaign.
It is for this reason that, within the context of the whole government approach the key players in road safety including, but not limited to the TSCZ, ZRP and VID, among others, will effective this weekend, deploy throughout the country and roll out a festive season road safety education and awareness campaign across all 10 provinces of the country.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe usually records an increase in road accidents during the festive period due to an increase in travel and traffic coupled with poorly maintained roads and rainy weather which reduces visibility.
Moreover, the celebration and merriment associated with Christmas may lead to irresponsible driving behaviours, such as speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Law enforcement agents have been accused of taking bribes from drivers of overloaded or unroadworthy vehicles resulting in accidents.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Police, VID And Traffic Safety Council Launch Traffic Blitz

Thousands of commuters in Harare and other urban cities and towns are struggling to find transport to and fro work following the launch of an operation by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) targetting unlicensed commuter omnibuses and pirate taxis (mushikashika).
Police launched the operation “Tame the Traffic Jungle” across all provinces of the country starting on 12 September 2023.
According to ZRP spokesman, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the “operation has been necessitated by the lawlessness on the roads especially in major cities and towns”.
In Harare, some kombis were dropping off commuters before their destinations to avoid police roadblocks on major roads leading to the city centre.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200016623/police-blitz-leaves-commuters-stranded">NewsDay</a>, Tinashe Muturikwa, a commuter, said the police operation was meant to punish urban dwellers for voting for the opposition CCC. He said:
<blockquote>
We are struggling to get transport. Police are just everywhere disrupting us from getting transport home.
Personally, I feel the government is punishing us for overwhelmingly voting for CCC. It’s the same with regard to electricity.
</blockquote>
Police officers have reportedly been impounding vehicles without charging drivers or vehicle owners.
Zimbabwe Union of Drivers and Conductors president Frederick Maguramhinga told NewsDay that the operation is a noble initiative but they are not happy with how it is being implemented. He said:
<blockquote>
What is happening on the ground is that even the vehicles with the necessary documentation are now being impounded.
The process of acquiring papers is difficult because we don’t have a one-stop shop, we don’t access papers online and the papers also take time to come out.
We want the operation to have phases, for instance, vehicles that are 70% compliant are different from vehicles with zero compliance.
</blockquote>
However, Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) president Tafadzwa Goliath commended the Government for launching the blitz. He said:
<blockquote>
Government must craft a transport policy. We don’t have one currently. But the operation is good, it might bring sanity to cities.
The operation will also protect civilians from getting robbed by drivers of cars posing as mushikashika.
</blockquote>
This is not the first time that the ZRP has launched an operation to curb lawlessness on the country’s roads in recent times.
Police have previously initiated operations to bring sanity to the roads lasting two weeks at a time, but Mushikashika returned to the road as soon are the operation came to an end.
Critics argue that these operations have failed to bring lasting solutions to “traffic jungles” in towns and have only fattened the pockets of corrupt police officers.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZRP Operation “Tame The Traffic Jungle” Leaves Commuters Stranded

Police in Harare on Monday, 27 March launched a blitz against pirate taxis (mushikashika), with several operators being arrested and vehicles impounded.
ZRP Harare Metropolitan Province spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza told <a href="https://zbcnews.co.zw/2023/03/27/police-intensify-blitz-against-mshikashika/">ZBC News</a> that mushikashika has resulted in an increase in reports of rape and robberies.
He urged members of the public to shun pirate taxis and use buses for their safety. Said Insp Chakanza:
<blockquote>
We are carrying out this blitz because we have cases of armed robbers we have those reports of rape and robberies. We are encouraging commuters to use buses.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Passenger Transporters Organisation Chairperson, Sam Nhanhanga said:
<blockquote>
We believe at the moment we have enough busses, we are awaiting the government to tell us what we need to do to be able to serve the urban areas.
</blockquote>
Pirate taxis became popular during COVID-19-induced lockdowns when the government monopolised public transport through the Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (ZUPCO).
ZUPCO buses and kombis were woefully inadequate and this forced the public to use mushikashika as there was no other option.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Police In Harare Launch Blitz Against Mushikashika

Police in Plumtree, Matabeleland South Province, arrested 55 drivers and impounded at least 29 vehicles during a seven-day operation code name “i-number plate ingaphi/ number plate iripi” (where is the vehicle number plate?).
The operation, which covered both rural and urban areas, business centres and highways and ended on Tuesday, was aimed at curbing traffic lawlessness thereby reducing road traffic accidents.
Police said they noted that unregistered vehicles were being used to commit crimes such as armed robbery, murder, kidnapping and smuggling. Police said in a statement:
<blockquote>
It has also been observed that the mushikashika vehicles and kombis that are being contracted to ZUPCO were carrying passengers across the district and these have removed number plates to avoid being identified.
The seven-day operation which was conducted in the district resulted in 55 arrests and 29 vehicles were impounded for infringing the temporary identification card facility.
The operation led to the confiscation of those vehicles without relevant papers.
</blockquote>
Police said some motorists had become so rogue that they were defying police signals to stop at roadblocks and checkpoints.
Others were allegedly so daring that if a police officer stood in their way, they were prepared to knock them down. | <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/55-arrested-29-plumtree-vehicles-impounded/">The Sunday News</a>

Police Impound 29 Vehicles, Arrest 55 Drivers In Plumtree

Police in Harare have launched an operation targetting unlicensed, uninsured and unregistered motor vehicles plying the capital’s major roads.
Police suspect that the vehicles are being used to commit serious crimes such as armed robbery and hit-and-run accidents.
A memo from the Officer Commanding Police, Harare South District, Chief Superintendent, M. Majojo, reveals that the operation will also target mushikashika (pirate taxis). It reads:
<blockquote>
It is difficult for law enforcement agencies to identify owners of unregistered vehicles after committing such crimes as they are not on the Central Vehicle Registry database.
Most vehicles plying the country’s roads are either not registered or the vehicle owners deliberately remove number plates to avoid identification.
The unregistered vehicles are being used to commit serious crimes and drivers of such motor vehicles cause chaos on the roads.
These unruly elements have reduced Harare from a Sunshine City status to a dirty and chaotic capital.
It is against this background that the district shall embark on an operation to clean up and restore sanity in Greater Harare, by arresting touts, mushika-shika operators, street car washers and car repairers operating at undesignated places.
</blockquote>
Police said they will be impounding motor vehicles suspected to have been stolen, smuggled or used in committing crimes.
According to the memo, the impounded vehicles will be taken to yards ‘where they would be subjected to a clearance process involving stakeholders such as Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS), Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), ZINARA Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), Harare City Council Traffic Police and Vehicle Inspection Department (VID)”. | <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/police-flex-muscles-operation-to-restore-sanity-on-the-roads-starts-today/">H-Metro</a>

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