News / Local
Blitz on kombis intensifies
28 Jun 2014 at 13:11hrs | Views
The blitz on kombis intensified yesterday as police roped in municipal police and the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) to assist in apprehending motorists flouting traffic regulations.
Officer commanding Bulawayo Traffic olice Chief Superintendent Maxwell Gunguro said most of the kombis were operating without valid papers putting the lives of passengers at risk.
"Police are spearheading an operation to ensure that passenger-carrying vehicles are safe for the public," said Chief Supt Gunguro.
He said the operation was being conducted in conjunction with VID and municipal police and targeted kombis using illegal pick up points and those without required documents.
"Police are arresting all kombis using illegal pick up points as they disturb traffic causing avoidable accidents," said Chief Supt Gunguro.
Hordes of commuters were seen walking to town after being dropped off at Luveve Road fly over just before Emachipsini yesterday.
The commuters said they did not understand what was taking place and were inconvenienced by the operation.
Chief Supt Gunguro however said everyone must support the police as they were taking measures to improve safety on the roads. He said most kombis were being driven by underage drivers while some vehicles were not fit to be on the road.
"We have arrested a number of underage drivers who are driving without valid certificates of fitness. Some of the kombis have been evading paying fines to council hence the joint operation with municipal police," he said.
Chief Supt Gunguro urged public transport operators to observe rules of the road in order to reduce accidents.
Most kombi operators spent the better part of the day parked at Egodini terminus leaving commuters stranded in some suburbs.
One commuter driver Britos Ncube said it was impossible for them to have all the relevant papers as it was costly.
"They know that we cannot have all the relevant papers as it is expensive," he said without elaborating.
It was not immediately clear how long the operation would last.
Officer commanding Bulawayo Traffic olice Chief Superintendent Maxwell Gunguro said most of the kombis were operating without valid papers putting the lives of passengers at risk.
"Police are spearheading an operation to ensure that passenger-carrying vehicles are safe for the public," said Chief Supt Gunguro.
He said the operation was being conducted in conjunction with VID and municipal police and targeted kombis using illegal pick up points and those without required documents.
"Police are arresting all kombis using illegal pick up points as they disturb traffic causing avoidable accidents," said Chief Supt Gunguro.
Hordes of commuters were seen walking to town after being dropped off at Luveve Road fly over just before Emachipsini yesterday.
The commuters said they did not understand what was taking place and were inconvenienced by the operation.
"We have arrested a number of underage drivers who are driving without valid certificates of fitness. Some of the kombis have been evading paying fines to council hence the joint operation with municipal police," he said.
Chief Supt Gunguro urged public transport operators to observe rules of the road in order to reduce accidents.
Most kombi operators spent the better part of the day parked at Egodini terminus leaving commuters stranded in some suburbs.
One commuter driver Britos Ncube said it was impossible for them to have all the relevant papers as it was costly.
"They know that we cannot have all the relevant papers as it is expensive," he said without elaborating.
It was not immediately clear how long the operation would last.
Source - chronicle
