adminSecretary general of the Urban Commuter Omnibus Operators Association Mr Simbarashe Ngarande said council should find an alternative method of controlling the movement of kombis in the city other than the use of spikes.
He said the use of the spikes had resulted in the death of three people since last week and injury to several others.
However, Harare town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi defended the use of the spikes saying kombi drivers should ‘‘simply abide by the law to avoid the use of the spikes’’.
He said since the traffic enforcement police began to use the spikes, traffic offences had declined in the city.
“In the past the drivers used to commit offences and drive off. Now they are stopping because they are aware we will use spikes to deflate their tyres.
“The spikes are serving as a deterrent,” he said.
He admitted that when the operation began the number of accidents were high but had now gone down because of the awareness that now exists.
He said there could still be incidents where people got injured but said society would always raise complaints with regards to new measures to control their behaviour.
“If the kombi drivers abide by the law the spikes will not be used,” he said.
The municipal traffic enforcement division has so far contributed over US$1,5 million to council since June last year.
Mr Ngarande said operators were living in fear of lawsuits from their commuters because of the risk to their lives.
“We are troubled. We do not know whether council wants us to work,” he said.
He said the spikes, besides damaging their vehicles, were also a hazard.
“Since last week three people have died and six were injured. I saw one of the dead at Copacabana,” he said.
He also said the relocation of commuter ranks was causing more problems.
“Our ranks are now more congested than before,” he said.
Online Reporter