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Vongai Chinjeke
Illegal vendors and pirate taxi drivers continue engaging in running battles with national and municipal police officers in Harare’s central business district where efforts to rid the capital of illicit activities have brought little success.
Pirate taxis (Mushikashika) and vendors have remained defiant and continue operating in the city despite most of them having been previously arrested and or fined.
This has led to calls for authorities to review their strategies on restoring sanity to the city.
The Government has designated the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) as the sole public transporter in urban areas and has invited bus operators still not registered under Zupco franchise, to do so.
Pirate taxis are picking up passengers from both designated boarding points and illegal ones with some people seen with legs sticking out of overloaded vehicles.
One Mushikashika driver yesterday bragged that they would continue operating as the law enforcement officers only wanted bribes.
“Ava chavanongoda imari. Tinongoramba tiri paroad wangu. (All they want is money. We will continue to be on the road my friend).”
Authorities have set up many roadblocks in the capital targeting illegal taxis and unregistered vehicles but Mushika-shikas continue to be a common sight on the roads.
Another pirate taxi driver who declined to be named said it was difficult for him to stop pirating because that was his only source of income. He claimed that registering with Zupco was expensive.
A vendor, who identified himself as Mr Runesu, said vending was the only way he was surviving with his family.
“With vending, I am able to send my two children to school, so it is going to be challenging for me to stop vending,” he said.
Shop owners in the capital have hailed the campaign to rid the city of illegal traders whom they say are providing stiff competition as the do not pay rentals, rates licence fees and other taxes.
Miss Tanaka Takwira, who runs a shop that sells school uniforms along Leopold Takawira Street, said the vendors were inconveniencing them and their customers.
“We hope vendors don’t come back to dominate the streets again. This clean-up campaign should make a difference for us and our clients.
“As shop owners, we have been sabotaged for a long time by unregistered vendors. Imagine someone selling the same products as mine just on my doorstep and at a cheaper price. It’s totally unfair and I support the police and council for removing these vendors.”
Online Reporter