admin
Mary’s–Makoni routes that were not affected by roadblocks.
Police in riot gear were immediately deployed to Makoni shopping centre and dispersed drivers who had a brief gathering.
The drivers said they were losing a lot of money to police manning roadblocks mounted each morning on the route.
“On our way to town there will be several roadblocks, at times seven.
“At each roadblock we leave something for the policemen and at the end of the day we are left with little or nothing.
“We try to comply with their demands, but it seems they devise problems on our vehicles so that we pay. It is better we go to other areas where there are no police roadblocks,” said one driver, Mr Tapiwa Majeke.
Another driver, Mr Wandai Charehwa, said he decided to increase fares due to the high demand for their service after others had pulled out.
“It is better that I charge whatever amount I feel and pay the police what ever amount they ask for.
“I cannot risk using the little we get to pay the police, fuel and rank marshals. We do not know where to report the police corruption.”
A commuter at Makoni shopping centre, identified as Mai Wongai, said she waited in a queue for hours before getting transport into town.
“I stood here for more than three hours and commuter omnibus drivers were asking for a lot of money. Some of us are now resorting to pick-up trucks that are charging at least a dollar.
“It seems we are paying the price for what police are doing to commuter omnibus operators. Relevant authorities are letting us down,” she said.
Traffic police spokesperson Inspector Tigere Chigome, said traffic police roadblocks were justified.
“We are not going to stop on the issue of roadblocks and that is on record. Those against them are ill-advised people who do not have proper papers and want to endanger the lives of their passengers.
“If one has proper documentation, he will not encounter the problems and police are on the roads simply to enforce the law. The issue of number of roadblocks is a non-starter because at each roadblock, the police have their own area of jurisdiction. They operate in their own areas and do not encroach into other areas,” he said.
Online Reporter