Operation nets 3 600 motorists

OVER 3 000 motorists have been arrested under the recently launched police operation code-named, “Respect other road users”.

The operation is targeting motorists who continue to violate traffic rules and regulations countrywide.

Most of the suspects have since been fined, while others are expected to appear in court soon facing various charges.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the operation was continuing until there was sanity on the roads.

“On May 1, 2022, police arrested 898 more motorists throughout the country on day four of operation ‘Respect other road users/Remekedzai vamwe vanoshandisa mugwagwa/Hloniphani abanye abasebenzisa umgwaqo’, bringing the cumulative arrests to 3 602,” he said.

Motorists are being advised to adhere to road rules and regulations to ensure the smooth traffic flow on the roads.

Police have also launched a blitz on pirate taxi operators who had become a menace on the streets.

The operation is also targeting unregistered cars, street kids controlling traffic and vendors operating at intersections, with a view to restoring order and decongesting the city.

Apart from the police, the operation includes other stakeholders such as the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration, Vehicle Inspection Department, the Department of Social Welfare and the four Harare Metropolitan local authorities: Chitungwiza Municipality, Epworth Local Board, Harare City Council and Ruwa Local Board.

In Harare, the operation was conducted in the full range of police districts: Harare Central, Harare Suburban, Mbare, Chitungwiza, Traffic, Harare East, Harare South and Harare North.

Of the 663 arrested, 459 are motorists who had their cars impounded, 164 were vendors, 21 illegal money-changers and 19 street kids or vagrants.

Police have been urging the public to avoid boarding pirate taxis or using their private vehicles as pirate taxis as they risk falling prey to robbers.

Only Zupco buses, long distance buses and Zupco-affi liated kombis are allowed to operate as public transport.

Police in Harare Province said they were worried by the congestion during peak hours and the number of criminal cases emanating from the pirate taxis and nonZupco kombis and buses.

A number of robberies, rapes and thefts have occurred where victims fall prey to the illegal transporters who present themselves as genuine transporters.

Every week, many passengers and motorists have lost cash, cars and goods to armed robbers in separate incidents, with most of them robbed after being offered lifts in and around Harare.