Council clamps down on pirate taxis

Freedom Mupanedemo Midlands Bureau
Gweru City Council has cracked down on pirate taxis commonly referred to as “Mushikashika”, impounding mostly Honda Fit vehicles and other small cars used as public transport to ferry people, especially students.

At least 20 pirate taxis have been impounded so far under the blitz, with the council using its racking vehicles to tow them away to its works yard along the City-Bristol Road. According to the some of pirate taxi operators who lost their cars under the blitz, council was demanding $95 for one to recover their impounded cars.

“The council is being hard on us,” said Mr Talent Zhou. “It is not fair. They impounded our cars taking them into their premises before they charge us $95 to recover them. It seems they are making brisk business out of this.”

Another pirate taxi operator, Mr Kingstone Katindi, said he was still trying to raise money to recover his impounded car.

“We are trying to make ends meet, but the council is targeting us,” he said. “Right now I am running around to try and raise the required amount so that I can take my car back.”

Gweru Mayor Councillor Charles Chikozho said the council was trying to clear illegal activities in the Central Business District. He said the council had contained illegal vendors and was extending the blitz to all illegal activities in the city.

“I am sure the majority of Gweru residents are happy with our efforts as council to try and bring back normalcy in our city. The chaos had reached alarming levels, but I think even you as the media also appreciate our efforts to try and put our city to order through these blitz on illegal activities,” said Cllr Chikozho.