Owners of kombis caught with touts clinging on the back to be arrested

Harare, (New Ziana) –Commissioner General of Police Godwin Matanga has directed that commuter omnibus operators whose vehicles openly move with touts clinging precariously on the back (kurembera in the vernacular) be arrested.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said this in a statement on Monday.

It has become common in cities and towns to see touts clinging precariously on the back of commuter omnibuses, with cases of some falling and being run over being recorded.

Some of the touts will be clinging onto the doors of small vehicles used as illegal taxis (mushikashikas), at times shouting obscenities at other motorists and members of the public, especially at congested traffic intersections.

Most commuter omnibuses that touts cling on precariously are not registered while the drivers break road rules with impunity as they speed through uncontrolled intersections, endangering the lives of the public and other motorists.

“Also to be arrested are motorists found on the road with vehicles fitted with bar lights with the offending vehicles impounded,” said Comm Nyathi.

Meanwhile, Comm Nyathi warned motorists against fitting sirens, beacons and blue lights to their vehicles as it is against the law. He said the police were also not allowed to offer motorised escorts for weddings, church gatherings, birthday parties and other private functions.

“In the same vein, the public is accordingly informed that the law does not allow the use of any private or personal motorcade of any form or the country’s roads whether with beacon lights or sounding any form of siren,” he said.

Motorists were also urged to observe the movements of the State motorcade whenever escort vehicles are approaching on the roads and that the use of blue lights or beacons is a preserve of the police in terms of Statutory Instrument 129 of 2015 Road Traffic (Construction. Equipment and Use) Regulations.

“In this regard, any motorist found with a vehicle fitted with blue lights or beacons will be dealt with in line with country s laws. In the same vein, no private or company vehicle should be fitted with or painted in police colours.”

Comm Nyathi also warned the public against driving vehicles without registration plates as these will be impounded, adding government vehicles are not excluded from the requirement.

New Ziana