BLITZ NETS 300 KOMBIS
. . . as police tighten lockdown enforcement
IN a blitz aimed at enforcing Covid-19 lockdown measures, police in Harare and Chitungwiza have impounded over 300 kombis for violating several regulations.
The impounded vehicles were taken to Chitungwiza Police Station and Morris Depot in Harare where some kombi drivers were fined while others are being taken to court depending on the severity of the charges against them.
Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachii said a number of kombi drivers were fined, while 19 were taken to Chitungwiza court where 10 were convicted and nine have pending cases for violating national lockdown measures and traffic-related offences.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to confirm conviction of 10 kombi drivers out of 19 who appeared yesterday at Chitungwiza magistrates’ court for various traffic-related offences,” said Insp Chazovachii.
“Police in Chitungwiza and Harare impounded a total of 311 kombis and they will continue to impound all those violating national lockdown measures and failing to observe curfew orders.
“We are warning all illegal transport operators that police will bring all those found violating Covid-19 regulations to book without fear or favour.
“Those who want to operate are urged to register their commuter omnibuses with Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO),” said Insp Chazovachii.
Harare provincial police commander responsible for operations, Assistant Commissioner Marshal Dube supervised police checkpoints along Seke Road and later visited Chitungwiza Police Station where a number of impounded kombis were taken.
The volume of traffic and people decreased in the capital city yesterday following the arrest of those who were caught without exemption letters in the central business district (CBD) on Monday and Sunday.
One kombi owner only identified as Tau told H-Metro that the fines hike forced him to park his seven kombis to avoid losing money.
“Pakaipa wangu, dzangu kombi ndakapaka nekuti mari yese inoperera kubhadhara mafines apa yakakwira saka kupinda paroad kurasa mari,”
said Tau.
“One of my friends’ three kombis were impounded and he is regretting and his prayers are that the vehicles are not taken to Vehicle Inspection Department,” he said.
Meanwhile, a number of food and clothes vendors were seen displaying their wares at Makoni Shopping Centre in defiance of lockdown measures and also a few metres from Chitungwiza Police Station.