City of Harare impounds over 400 kombis

Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Reporter
At least 420 kombis have been impounded in Harare for violating city by-laws following the opening of the Coventry Road holding bay. Council spokesperson Mr Leslie Gwindi said the commuter omnibuses would now be released after 14 days if impounded and would pay storage fees ranging between US$350-US$1 000.

This comes after the city officially opened the holding bay last week for commuter omnibuses plying Southern and Western suburbs.
He said plans were underway for the expansion of the holding bay to de-congest Market Square and two more holding bays would be opened to accommodate the kombis from Charge Office and Fourth street ranks.

“We are looking at moving kombis that are picking passengers at Market Square to the holding bays. The expansion is going to be done next month so that kombis from Market Square move there.”

Mr Gwindi said they have tasked city’s traffic and transportation planner, Mrs Judith Mujegu, to identify space earmarked for the holding bays.
“For Chitungwiza and the Eastern suburbs such as Mabvuku/Tafara which affect Fourth Street, we are going to de-congest after we identify the required space,” he said.

He said they were going to add manpower and working hours for the expansion to be successful. “There is an outcry which is very justifiable. It is not a crisis but it is something which is expected to be worked on as we grow,” he said.

Mr Gwindi gave stern warning to commuter omnibus drivers that were hiking fares from R5 to US$1 following the introduction of the Coventry Holding bay.