Police to descend on errant motorists

clampdown, code-named “Operation Thwala abaneleyo/Takura Vakakwana” which will see passengers being forced to disembark from any overloaded public transport to force compliance among operators.
National traffic spokesperson Inspector Tigere Chigome said the operation was not a one off occasion but an ongoing clampdown meant to minimise overloading of passengers by public transporters.
These include commuter omnibuses and buses.
However, Insp Chigome could not be drawn into revealing how many motorists have been arrested so far or how many vehicles have been impounded since the launch of the operation.
“During this festive season operators normally want to cash in on the high demand for transport by overloading passengers.
“This is clampdown on public transporters is ongoing until we bring sanity on our roads,” he said.
Insp Chigome said transporters should carry the number of passengers specified per vehicle, in line with Section 36(1) of the Road Motor Transport Act and Statutory Instrument 1 of 1997.
“I cannot give figures off hand on how many have been affected, but the main idea is to see 15-seater kombis carrying 15 passengers and the same applies to any kind of transport be it a 75- seater bus.
“Kombis know they are compelled to use the 4.3.3 seating arrangement, where they carry four passengers in the back while the other seats should have three passengers,” said Insp Chigome.
He also called upon passengers to exercise their right and refuse to be loaded into already full vehicles as it is their right to travel safely.
Insp Chigome said passengers were also to blame because they usually board overloaded buses forgetting they would be putting their lives at risk.
He said those found in excess of each specified number of passengers would be “asked” to disembark.
“Passengers should bear with us at times because they would have to disembark from any overloaded bus or kombi. The passengers are also to blame because sometimes they do not exercise their right and just board already full vehicles. We are not going to charge passengers but they will be asked to disembark so that we all comply with the traffic regulations,” he said.
Insp Chigome also lashed out at some sections of the police force for failing to contain the situation saying compliance by motorists would only be achieved if police officers enforce the law.
The clampdown is set to intensify as the Christmas holidays approach.
Police have in the past launched a number of operations especially during public holidays when the volume of traffic on the roads increases.
Insp Chigome said the police had joined hands with different stakeholders, Traffic Safety Council, National Blood Transfusion Services of Zimbabwe and Red Cross on an awareness campaigns that started on Thursday. “We started an awareness campaign on 1 December in conjunction with our stakeholders where we are urging people to take measures to avoid accidents especially during public holidays like Christmas,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Passengers Association (ZPA) has also warned operators against overloading passengers.
“We are in a joint venture with the police to try and stop overloading to reduce accidents. Operators must adhere to regulation and carry passengers specified on their permits.
“We also want to urge passengers to refuse to board overloads buses or kombis,” said ZPA secretary general Mr Paul Makhiwa in a statement.