By Staff writer
POLICE in the Midlands province have so far impounded over 400 vehicles in an operation, the ZRP say is targeting touts and illegal pirate taxis in the province.
The operation which began on Monday is meant to curb lawlessness on the roads.
ZRP Midlands spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko gave an update on the operation which is being carried out in Gweru urban and rural, Kwekwe,Gokwe and Zvishavane.
“The general public is informed that Zimbabwe Republic Police Midlands Province is undertaking an operation to curb rising lawlessness being observed on all our public roads in cities, towns and business centres,” Insp Mahoko said.
“The operation commenced on 15 January 2024 in all policing districts in the Province which are: Gweru Urban, Gweru Rural, Kwekwe, Gokwe and Zvishavane.The operation is being taken as a response to public cries and observations of criminal acts happening on the roads.”
Insp Mahoko noted that some of the illegal activities that had become rampant incident overspending, picking up and dropping off of passengers at undesignated points, dangerous parking as well as use of unroadworthy vehicles.
He added that the police also wanted to rid the roads of the pirate taxis some of which have been used in the commission of robberies.
As of Thursday, a total of 429 vehicles had been impounded in the province, of these, 107 in Gweru urban,69 in Gweru district, 95 in Kwekwe and 48 in Zvishavane.
Meanwhile, motorists who spoke to this publication welcomed the move by the police to instill order in the roads but raised concern over some police officers who they accused of “abusing office.”
“This is a good move to periodically have police instill order on the roads because some drivers were becoming reckless,” said one motorist, before adding, “however, some of these police officers take advantage of the situation and abuse their positions.”
A taxi driver who chose not to be named said while it is good to have traffic police officers on the roads, some of the officers become overzealous thereby creating pandemonium on the roads.
“We welcome the move to have police but sometimes we do not cooperate as drivers because these police officers are overzealous and become a law unto themselves,” he said.
“Especially those traffic officers who randomly stop cars in town, some of them do so at dangerous spots such as in the middle of intersections which is unsafe for both motorists and other road users.
