The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has urged the public to report any incidents of misconduct, harassment, or criminal behaviour involving touts and rank marshals, who have become a significant problem across the country.
ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi has expressed concern about the ongoing disruptions to public transport at bus terminals and other illegal pick-up points.
He said touts, rank marshals, and hooligans are not only interfering with public transport but also putting the safety of commuters at risk.
In a statement released on Friday, 7 February, Nyathi said that touts and rank marshals have been observed loading passengers in the middle of roads and at undesignated spots, causing traffic jams and obstructing the smooth flow of vehicles.
He added that this behaviour is worsening congestion in Central Business Districts and creating serious safety hazards for both commuters and other road users. Said Nyathi:
<blockquote>
In some instances, the touts and rank marshals, who would be visibly intoxicated, will be seen harassing and intimidating the commuting public, with others engaging in violence, theft and other criminal activities, creating an atmosphere of fear and discomfort among passengers.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police issues a stern warning to these perpetrators and urges transport operators to refrain from hiring touts and bouncers, who are not only tarnishing the reputation of the transport industry in the country but also undermining its efficiency and effectiveness.
The Police has intensified efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for engaging in illegal practices that undermine the well-being of the commuting public.
</blockquote>
Nyathi urged the public to report any incidents of misconduct, harassment, or criminal behaviour involving touts and rank marshals to the nearest police station.
Alternatively, they can contact the National Complaints Desk at (0242) 703631 or via WhatsApp at 0712 800 197.

Pindula News

The police in Zimbabwe are warning people about touts, rank marshals, and hooligans who are causing trouble at bus terminals and other places. They are disrupting public transport and making it unsafe for passengers. The police say these people are loading passengers in dangerous spots and causing traffic problems. They are also harassing and stealing from passengers, making things scary for everyone. The police are trying to catch these troublemakers and want people to report any bad behavior they see. They say transport operators should not hire these people who are giving the transport industry a bad name. If anyone sees something bad happening, they should tell the police right away.

Police Warn Touts, Rank Marshals, Hooligans, And Transport Operators Who Hire Them

ZANU PF bigwig and businessman Isau Mupfumi was on Monday, 27 May granted US$1 000 by the courts following his arrest on Saturday for his alleged part in violent clashes over bus loading bays in Mutare, which left several people injured.
Mupfumi appeared before Mutare Provincial Magistrate Tendai Mahwe facing a charge of incitement to commit public violence.
As reported by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200027505/transport-mogul-mupfumi-granted-bail">NewsDay</a>, Mupfumi was granted bail, with conditions, by consent of both the State and the defence counsel. He will return to court in June.
Mupfumi was represented by Victor Chinzamba of Mugadza and Partners Legal Practitioners.
Mutare district public prosecutor Tirivanhu Mutyasira did not oppose the bail application by Chinzamba saying Mupfumi is a businessman of repute and was not at flight risk.
Violence broke out at the Old Harare Rank and Mudzviti Rank last week, leading to a fight between Mupfumi and Mukumba bus company touts.
The court heard that on Thursday last week, Mupfumi’s senior rank marshal at Sakubva Musika rank, Farai Chitsa (39), was attacked with machetes, sjamboks, golf clubs and knives by rank marshals belonging to Mukumba Brothers.
Mupfumi then allegedly instructed Chitsa and the other rank marshals to retaliate, after which they went to Old Harare Rank driving in two commuter omnibuses.
Mupfumi’s rank marshals allegedly attacked the rival group with machetes, sjamboks, golf clubs and knives.
More than 40 touts who were arrested were denied bail by Mahwe and will return to court on June 10.
National Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi on Sunday said they also want to interview Leonard Mukumba of Inter Africa Buses over the skirmishes.
NewsDay reported sources as saying Mukumba has been out of the country on business.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Businessman Isau Mupfumi Granted US$1 000 Bail

The Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation (ZPTO) has urged the government to deal decisively with rank marshalls terrorising commuters at various bus termini across the country.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/03/24/watch-woman-wails-at-bus-terminus-as-touts-jostle-for-her-luggage/">This comes after a video of about 10 Beitbridge touts harassing a hapless woman went viral on social media last week.</a> ZPTO chairperson Samson Nhanhanga said:
<blockquote>ZPTO has noted with concern a video circulating on social media platforms of a woman who was being violently dragged and being forced to board a bus by rank marshals in Beitbridge.
We condemn this behaviour by these rank marshals. The association has engaged relevant ministries and policymakers so as to deal with matters relating to the abuse of passengers at all designated bus stations countrywide.</blockquote>
Following the incident, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni s<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/03/25/govt-wants-to-witness-removal-of-touts-from-all-bus-termini/">aid rank marshalls will eventually be removed from all bus termini.</a> Said Nyoni:
<blockquote>Eventually, we want touts to be removed from all bus termini. Public spaces must be safe for all. Law enforcement agents will not tolerate such behaviour.
My ministry has engaged relevant government departments and local authorities to nip these inhumane acts of gender-based violence in the bud.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/03/bus-operators-engage-govt-over-rogue-touts/">NewsDay</a></h4>

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