2 700 CARS IMPOUNDED IN POLICE BLITZ

ALMOST 3000 Mushikashika vehicles have been impounded in the operation launched by police on Thursday to bring order to towns and cities.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, urged travelling public to shun pirate taxis and use buses and commuter omnibuses, registered under the Zupco franchise.

“Police arrested 1 079 motorists throughout the country on day three of operation ‘Respect Other Road Users/ Remekedzai Vamwe Vanoshandisa Mugwagwa/ Hloniphani Abanye Abasebenzisa Umgwaqo’, bringing the cumulative arrests to 2 704,” Ass Comm Nyathi said.

“Vehicle owners are being encouraged to ensure that their vehicles are fit for the road.

“Members of the public are warned against boarding mushikashika as a mode of transport.

“We are worried about congestion during peak hours and the number of criminal cases emanating from these mushikashika and nonZupco kombis and buses.

“A number of robberies, rape and theft cases have occurred in which victims fall prey to these illegal transporters who misrepresent themselves as transporters, we have declared war on these mushikashika and only Zupco buses and Zupco-affiliated kombis are allowed to operate.”

Boarding vehicles, which are not registered to carry members of the public, now attracts a $2 000 fine.

The blitz involves the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara), the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID), the Department of Social Welfare and local authorities such as Harare City Council, Ruwa Local Board, Chitungwiza Town Council and Epworth Local Board.

Meanwhile, police are investigating a robbery case that occurred at Toyota Garage in Masvingo where four unknown men, armed with a pistol, attacked a security guard at the premises before tying his arms and legs with a rope.

They also threatened to shoot him.

“The suspects proceeded to the company offices, stole a safe with an undisclosed amount of cash, and loaded it into the company’s Toyota Hilux single cab vehicle (ABW3144), which was parked at the premises,” Ass Comm Nyathi said.

“The police later recovered the vehicle abandoned near the 43km peg along the Masvingo/ Zaka Road. Police are investigating a case of murder in which Lucky Dube (26) allegedly struck Talent Tshuma (35) once on the head with a hammer after a misunderstanding over a cigarette at Sidzibe Business Centre, Filabusi.

“Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspect, who fled from the scene, after committing the offence.”