Wanted motorists: None reports to cops

of 621 unlicensed commuter omnibus drivers have been arrested under the ongoing Operation “Mapepa Aka-kwana.”
National Traffic police spokesperson Inspector Tigere Chigome yesterday said by close of business no one had reported to the police in order to clear their cases.
“We are still appealing to them to come forward and clear these outstanding cases,” he said.

According to police statistics, the motorists were issued with tickets between 2009 and last year.
The motorists – who were all issued with warrants of arrest after they failed to appear in court – face charges ranging from driving without due care; failure to report an accident; failure to stop after an accident; driving without current licence disk; possession of fake driver’s licence; negligent driving and culpable homicide, among others.

Also on the list are kombi drivers who were found without route authority, insecure load, without road service permit, no certificate of fitness, operating against timetable, overloading, no medical endorsement, failing to issue tickets among others.

Those arrested will be detained before appearing in court.
Meanwhile, the month-long Operation “Mapepa Akakwana” which began on June 1 aims to bring sanity on the country’s roads targeting commuter omnibus drivers and owners.

Police had noted that most of the drivers were driving without required documents.
They have so far arrested 655 commuter omnibus owners in connection with the cases.

Insp Chigome said since the beginning of the operation, they impounded 1 258 commuter omnibuses and arrested 1 152 drivers below the age of 25.
According to the law, public service vehicle drivers should be above 25 years old.

“The operation is continuing until there is sanity and all those arrested will appear in court while others will be fined depending on the seriousness of the offence,” Insp Chigome said.
He said also arrested were 2 027 drivers without medical endorsements, 2 069 drivers without going for retest and 1 424 others without defensive drivers’ licences.

Insp Chigome urged the public to co-operate with the police during this period.