admincommuter omnibus operators to drop off passengers outside the city centre.
The blitz came a day before tomorrow’s planned joint council and police operation targeting kombis and illegal vendors.
Police yesterday said the blitz was a “warning shot” to errant commuter omnibus operators on what to expect when the joint operation starts tomorrow.
The law enforcement agents argue commuters buses, most of which are unregistered, have congested the city and their drivers have become law unto themselves.
Dangerous parking, picking and dropping passengers at undesignated points and touting are some of the offences that have led to clashes between police and kombi operators.
Most commuters were forced to walk for up to 20 minutes, on average, to reach their destinations as police mounted roadblocks at some of the roads leading into the city.
The passengers were dropped off several kilometers from their usual drop-off points.
Transport operators servicing Chitungwiza, Hatfield and Sunningdale routes dropped people near Arcadia suburb along Seke Road.
Commuters from Glen Norah, Glen View and Highfield were dropped just before the fly over along Simon Mazorodze Road.
The situation was stressful for the elderly and physically challenged.
Some commuter omnibus operators took advantage of the situation and raised bus fares.
Commuters said while they understood the need to decongest the CBD, the clashes between the police and kombi crews were inconveniencing them.
“People will be tired by the time they arrive at work,” said Mrs Vimbikai Shayamapike from Chitungwiza.
Miss Sharon Ndarubva said commuters had been the victims in most cases.
“They have tried this and failed and I see no reason why they continue troubling people. It is a wise move but at the end of the day commuters are the ones who suffer,” she said.
National Traffic police spokesperson Inspector Tigere Chigome said commuters and drivers without proper documents would not be allowed into the city centre.
“If they want to be in the city centre then they should have proper documentation,” he said.
“The people are the ones complaining about the menace caused by the kombis and we should be firm in decongesting the city.”
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau said if passengers were dropped off before their destinations, they should demand a refund.
“They should immediately be reimbursed or seek police intervention. We are not going to be deterred from carrying out our operations by anyone. We are leaving no stone unturned. This time the operation will be done differently as all stakeholders are involved,” he said.
Tomorrow’s blitz will include the Vehicle Inspection Department, Central Vehicle Registry and the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter