2 000 vehicles impounded over lockdown violations

POLICE in Bulawayo have impounded over 2 000 vehicles since the national lockdown to contain coronavirus started on March 30, Southern Eye has learnt. These were mostly commuter omnibuses illegally ferrying passengers and ignoring social distancing rules.

Addressing journalists yesterday, Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said the owners were charged for violating the lockdown order.

“We are in level two of the national lockdown. In line with COVID-19 regulations, police impounded 120 vehicles since Wednesday. The vehicle owners have been violating lockdown regulations since it was directed that only Zupco buses can operate to assure social distancing and safety of passengers,” he said.

“Unauthorised commuter omnibuses that have been operating load between 18 and 20 passengers. The cross-border (Toyota) Quantums from South Africa that operate with cross-border permits have been taking advantage of the absence of other transporters as they have been ferrying people to the central business district, which is a total violation of the law.”

“We appeal to our general members of the public to abide by the rules, regulations of the COVID-19 (lockdown order) and other laws that are obtaining in the country as the pandemic is real. We want to protect the people of Bulawayo as we are not going to hesitate to impound any vehicle without fear or favour, anyone who is seen or found driving in town without a proper explanation will have his or her vehicle impounded,” he said.

Ncube said on Wednesday, they cleared 21 vehicles from the impound after the owners met certain conditions and paid fines.

“We are encouraging members of the public and commuters to go to designated places where they are supposed to board public transport. Yesterday, I was making rounds in the city centre and realised that as late as 5pm, lorry drivers would be cramming people in their vehicles without clear protection and sanitation. Let us work together and make sure we remain safe,” he said.

The commuting public recently called on government to allow private commuter omnibuses to operate to ease transport problems as Zupco was failing to cope.

Commuters spend hours on end in meandering queues trying to catch a bus to and from work.

Police also called on Bulawayo residents not to harbour any returnees who would have escaped from quarantine centres or those that would not have subjected themselves to such as most new COVID-19 cases were emanating from the returnees and immigrants.