By Onward Gangata
TRANSPORT operators have been urged to operate within the confines of the law and desist from engaging in corrupt activities with police officers.
This was said by ZRP Officer Commanding Gweru urban, Chief superintendent, Enock Chishiri.
He was speaking at the launch of the Gweru United Transporters Association (GUTA) in the Midlands capital on Tuesday.
“As long as you are giving police officers money that is not receipted, that is illegal,” Chief Sup Chishiri said.
“In other words, you are encouraging your drivers to be irresponsible on the roads by commiting offences.
“At the same time you are enticing the police to engage in corruption, this can lead to their dismissal.
“Once caught on the wrong side of the law, it is over for such police officers.”
Chief Sup Chishiri called on transport operators to encourage combi drivers to abide by the law.
“Encourage your drivers to do the right things, if they are arrested, they must use the legally available channels,” he said.
The new transport association brings together commuter omnibus operators in the city.
This is expected to bring about sanity to the chaotic transport system in the city.
NEW DAWN FOR COMBI OPERATORS?
GUTA advisor Job Sibanda said the association marks the dawn of a new era for the transport industry.
“This is a game changer for us as a transport industry in the city,” Sibanda said.
“From now going forward, we are speaking with one voice, organizing ourselves for the better.
“As transporters we now have structures where we can be able to bring to account our members for the betterment of the sector.”
Commuter omnibuses under the GUTA franchise will be branded with the association’s logo and codes indicating to routes they ply.
Illegal pirate taxis ‘Mushikashikas’ have been at the epicentre of transport problems in most urban areas.
ZRP Gweru central officer in charge, Chief inspector Joel Goko applauded the transport operators for coming up with an association.
He said this will make it easy for police officers to fish out illegal pirate taxi operators and flash out touting.
“This is one of the best moves for us as the police, it will make it easy for us to deal with illegal operators,” Chief Insp Goko said.
“Mushikashika and touts have been a menace to all road users in the country.
“The hope is that this brings to an end touting and illegal pirate taxis and restore sanity on the roads.”
