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Hundreds of motorists, who do not have licence discs, were forced to use alternative routes into the city centre.
At the point a beep would sound if a motorist without a disc drove past the sensor.
Buses, metered taxis, commuter omnibuses and private vehicles were impounded and towed to the Bulawayo Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) Depot.
Motorists said the operation caught them unawares on Tuesday.
“We read about this wonder vehicle in the newspaper and we thought it was a joke. It is an efficient mechanism that weeds out miscreants with minimum disruption to traffic flow. My car was impounded on Tuesday. I have to pay a $20 fine, an additional sum in towing fees and buy a licence disc and insurance before I can get it back,” said Mr Ian Moyo (41) of Gwabalanda.
A kombi driver said he had resorted to going into the city centre via West Park Cemetery to avoid detection.
“Kuyayilahla laphana, those guys have no mercy and are not open to negotiation. We try our best to avoid having our vehicles taken to the VID because it would be a struggle to get them out. Impounded vehicles are checked for defects, which all have to be fixed before they are allowed back on the road. This costs money that we do not have,” said the driver.
Statistics of the number of motorists that have been found without discs since the operation began two months ago, could not be obtained from the acting national police traffic spokesperson Assistant Inspector Blessmore Chakanza as he said he was out of office.
“You would have to call in the morning for statistics. It is, however, important to note that this is not a special operation, but part of our routine duties,” said Asst Insp Chakanza.
Zinara spokesperson Mr Augustine Moyo could also not be reached on his mobile phone.
Meanwhile, police in Bulawayo have arrested 2 280 drivers, impounded 742 vehicles and collected fines amounting to $32 055 in the ongoing operation to decongest the city centre that was launched in July.
The operation code-named “100 percent decongest the city,” was launched two months ago and was aimed at eliminating illegal pick-up points in the city centre.
Confirming the development yesterday, the officer commanding Bulawayo Traffic, Superintendent Moreblessing Gandiyaru, said police were working hard to restore order and safety on Bulawayo’s roads.
“It was indeed a massive operation and at least we have managed to reduce congestion in the city centre.
“We arrested drivers for different offences, which include driving without licences, retests or lack of certificates of fitness for their vehicles. About 666 drivers were arrested for driving without defensive drivers’ licences, 499 without medical endorsements and 466 without retests. We also arrested 369 drivers who had no licence of fitness for their vehicles and 280 without licences.
“We also impounded 742 vehicles during the three phases of the operation,” said Supt Gandiyaru.
He said police had a long way to go before they could totally decongest the city, but they would work hard with other stakeholders to ensure sanity prevailed.
“We will continue to pounce on anyone who breaks the law especially on the road because many people have lost their lives due to carelessness. We also have another operation code-named ‘Where where You?’ and this one targets all those wanted persons who think they have gotten away with failure to pay traffic fines,” he said.
Supt Gandiyaru urged all drivers who had absconded paying fines or been involved in hit and run accidents to visit the nearest police station.
“I am urging all the culprits out there to visit the nearest police station and sort out their issues because we will surely descend on all those who have absconded. Residents should pay fines after being issued with tickets and avoid serious offences like running away after hitting people,” said Supt Gandiyaru.
The operation would run concurrently with the ongoing Bulawayo City Council operation of clamping and towing away vehicles at roadblocks to compel motorists to pay for about 20 000 outstanding traffic offence tickets.
Online Reporter