Kombi crew arrest for inciting public violence

Four people have been arrested while two commuter omnibuses were impounded on charges of inciting public violence in Harare after allegedly forcing other operators to join Monday's industrial action.
 
The four suspects were arrested for allegedly inciting commuter operators to stage a strike against police road blocks.
 
Police spokesperson, Inspector James Sabau said the impounded commuter omnibuses were used to ferry the touts to Epworth and bar commuter operators from conducting their business.
 
"These touts were organised by illegal operators who do not have requisite documents to operate and we have established that the touts were there to cause confusion and inconvenience commuters," said Inspector Sabau.
 
Commuter omnibus operators parked their vehicles on Monday in protest alleging that there were too many police road blocks.
 
They also alleged that police were demanding bribes.
 
Meanwhile, the Urban Transporters Association of Zimbabwe executive members say they are fully behind the ZRP in its efforts to restore order on the roads.

The organisation's National Chairman, Mr. Wilbert Zhakata and Harare provincial chairman, Mr. Fanuel Mutasa said commuter omnibus operators should regularise their operations and ensure their vehicles have required documents.

"We are fully behind the police and we want all illegal operators to be flashed out of our roads and we want our members to abide by the laws of Zimbabwe," said Mr. Zhakata and Mr Mutasa.

The arrested touts are expected to appear in court soon facing charges of inciting violence under the Public Order and Security Act.