Trucks impounded in police city blitz
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in conjunction with the City of Bulawayo municipal police yesterday impounded more than 12 trucks for obstructing the smooth flow of traffic in the city centre during a routine operation.
The crackdown, codenamed “Bring sanity to the CBD,” is in response to illegal transport operators who have become a nuisance in the city centre by causing congestion, particularly during peak hours.
The impounded vehicles had blocked traffic in the market area between 4th and 6th avenues in the city centre where they were offloading fresh farm produce resulting in congestion.
The crackdown is a routine exercise aimed at restoring sanity in the streets of Bulawayo and decongesting the city centre.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said the operation is also targeting pirate taxis, mostly Honda Fit vehicles, commonly known as mushikashika.
He said police, working in conjunction with Bulawayo City Council (BCC) have intensified the blitz targeting illegal transporters operating in undesignated areas such as Fort Street and Basch Street among others.
“While we were conducting our operation at most of the areas we have cleaned up, we noticed that George Silundika was unnavigable due to big trucks that were parking at undesignated areas while offloading fresh farm produce. We teamed up with the city council and launched the exercise during which we impounded 12 trucks for blocking traffic,” said Insp Ncube.
The vehicles were taken to the ZRP Ross Camp Police Station.
“While conducting our operation, we noted that the market area was infested with people who were selling alcohol and drugs in the streets,” said Insp Ncube.
“These trucks were blocking traffic, interrupting the business of registered and licensed vendors and shops in the market area. Removing them from our streets also helped clear the streets of people who are involved in the selling of substances, alcohol, and drugs to the youths.”
Insp Ncube said most of the drug linchpins are now operating from the market area.
“You will find them selling a variety of these substances, exposing our children to these deadly substances. As police, we urge members of the public to co-operate with the police in the fight against drug and substance abuse in Bulawayo.
Insp Ncube urged members of the public to desist from boarding buses at undesignated points.
Last month, police impounded several buses and pirate taxis for picking up passengers in undesignated areas.
There has been rampant picking of passengers at undesignated points by long-distance bus crews, particularly along Bulawayo-Harare Road, Leopold Takawira Extension opposite the Centenary Park, and along Bulawayo-Plumtree Road at John Love Motors.
Police officers have been involved in running battles with long-distance buses that continue to load passengers at undesignated spots. — @Sagepapie14.