News / National
Pirate taxi-owning cops under fire
04 Jul 2016 at 02:15hrs | Views
Some in the uniformed forces owning pirate taxis popularly known as mushikashika are compromising the country's fight against illegal transport operations, the Greater Harare Association of Commuter Omnibus Operators (GHACO) has said.
Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri two years ago banned police officers from owning commuter omnibuses and any form of public transport to stop corruption.
Speaking at a meeting between Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) and its stakeholders in the capital on Friday, GHACO chairperson Mr Cosmas Mbonjani said there was a growing conflict of interest in mushikashika ownership.
"We have noted there is a conflict of interest between police officers and some Government officials who own pirate taxis and any public service vehicles," he said. Although they were banned from this before, we have since noticed that it is some of the uniformed forces that are now the same owners of mushikashika taxis."
"It is difficult to control them as they are promoting illegality, whether one is in a high office or not, they should not abuse their powers on the streets. Let operators operate in the confines of the country's laws," he said.
He also called for the formulation of a proper transport policy and enabling laws that will allow operators to form and join associations like SANTAGO in South Africa which promotes self regulation and helps them speak with one voice.
Zimbabwe Union of Drivers and Conductors (ZUDAC) chairperson Mr Fradreck Maguramhinga, blamed some law enforcers for boarding mushikashika at undesignated pick-up points in the city.
"Some law enforcers are very active in the running battles against mushikashika during the day but they are the same people who come and board the pirate taxis at illegal pick-up points at the end of the day," he said.
"We see several law enforcers in their uniforms also resorting to the use of these taxis which shows that we have a long way to go in stopping the menace in the streets of Harare."
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing principal director Mrs Ethel Mlalazi bemoaned the increase in loss of lives through the carelessness of mushikashika operators.
Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri two years ago banned police officers from owning commuter omnibuses and any form of public transport to stop corruption.
Speaking at a meeting between Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) and its stakeholders in the capital on Friday, GHACO chairperson Mr Cosmas Mbonjani said there was a growing conflict of interest in mushikashika ownership.
"We have noted there is a conflict of interest between police officers and some Government officials who own pirate taxis and any public service vehicles," he said. Although they were banned from this before, we have since noticed that it is some of the uniformed forces that are now the same owners of mushikashika taxis."
"It is difficult to control them as they are promoting illegality, whether one is in a high office or not, they should not abuse their powers on the streets. Let operators operate in the confines of the country's laws," he said.
He also called for the formulation of a proper transport policy and enabling laws that will allow operators to form and join associations like SANTAGO in South Africa which promotes self regulation and helps them speak with one voice.
Zimbabwe Union of Drivers and Conductors (ZUDAC) chairperson Mr Fradreck Maguramhinga, blamed some law enforcers for boarding mushikashika at undesignated pick-up points in the city.
"Some law enforcers are very active in the running battles against mushikashika during the day but they are the same people who come and board the pirate taxis at illegal pick-up points at the end of the day," he said.
"We see several law enforcers in their uniforms also resorting to the use of these taxis which shows that we have a long way to go in stopping the menace in the streets of Harare."
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing principal director Mrs Ethel Mlalazi bemoaned the increase in loss of lives through the carelessness of mushikashika operators.
Source - the herald
