152 impounded pirate kombis registered

ONE hundred and fifty two unregistered commuter omnibuses and pirate taxis have been operating in Gweru for years and in the process prejudicing the local authority and the Government of a large sum of money in potential revenue.

The illegal transport operators have also been causing havoc in the city centre by using undesignated zones to pick up and drop off passengers.

Following the ongoing blitz code-named “Tame the traffic jungle” aimed at restoring order and sanity on the country’s roads, a number of vehicles have since met registration requirements.

The operation, which started last week Tuesday, has been targeting pirate taxis and commuter omnibuses that are operating illegally and are picking and dropping off passengers at undesignated points in the central business district.

Some of the impounded vehicles were kept at Gweru Central and Mtapa police stations while others were at Mkoba 1 Police Station.

The local authority recently gave public transport operators, including commuter omnibuses an ultimatum to update their route specification letters and parking disks.

City of Gweru spokesperson Ms Vimbai Chingwaramusee said the blitz was very successful after a number of transport operators registered for them to operate within the confines of the laws.

She said transport operators are required to submit an application letter conjoined with an operator’s licence, passenger insurance, vehicle insurance, vehicle registration book, parking disk, rates clearance, certificate of fitness, and proof of residence.

The application fees range from US$119,60 to US$143,52 depending on seating capacity.

“So far, the 152 pirate commuter omnibuses and pirate taxis that were impounded have since registered, which is a positive development in terms of revenue collection. There is now sanity in terms of transportation in the city,” said Ms Chingwaramusee.

She said the blitz was targeting illegal transport operators in Gweru who were flouting road traffic rules and creating lawlessness in the city centre.

“The public transport operators are only allowed to use the approved parking spaces at Kudzanayi Bus Terminus, Old TM taxi rank, and First Street ranking space. The new measures will help improve the safety and quality of public transportation in the city,” said Ms Chingwaramusee.

As of Sunday, police had arrested over 16 000 people for violating traffic laws and regulations and impounded 837 vehicles countrywide.

The operation is a partnership between police and local authorities. Other stakeholders involved in the blitz aimed at ensuring that vehicle owners comply with the requirements of the law include the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, the Vehicle Inspectorate Department, the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the operation comes in the wake of lawlessness on the roads, particularly in major cities and towns where some drivers are now flouting road traffic rules.