Police, Kombi war escalates

HIGH-speed chases involving commuter omnibus operators, pirate taxis and the police, through the eastern suburbs are putting residents' lives at risk as the war over passengers escalates in Bulawayo.

Residents yesterday complained bitterly saying they could be killed in car crashes or their children run over by the speeding cars.

Last week police extended the ongoing Operation 100 percent Decongest the City to cover pirate taxis.

Chases have ensued between the police and the pirate taxis with commuter omnibus operators running a parallel operation to block the unregistered operators.

Yesterday some kombi owners allegedly availed private cars to plain clothes police officers so that they could patrol the eastern routes.

"I was shocked this morning at about 7.45am. A green Nissan March came along Lalacoste Road at high speed, with a beige ex-Japan salon car in hot pursuit. With a loud squeal of tyres, they turned left into Moresby Road and shot through the give way intersection at Grey Stoke," said a Morningside resident.

Another resident said one such chase ended up at Hillside Police Station.

"It is a miracle the cars did not crash. Bewildered passengers were hanging onto their seats. The car was being chased by plain clothes police officers in an unmarked car. I think it is unfair for the police and transporters to endanger our lives in this manner," said the resident.

A kombi operator said they had given their private cars to help police patrol the routes.

"We are prepared for a full scale war. We are paying route fees and other statutory fees yet these pirate taxi owners who do not pay anything are reaping the benefits. They have completely ruined our business. On all the routes that they operate, registered operators are cashing about R100 per day, down from about R500," complained the operator.

He said there was nothing wrong with them helping the police to crack down on pirate taxis and encouraged residents to shun them.

A private car owner plying the Matopos route said it was inevitable for them to flee because the police were not in uniform.

"How do I know that they are not carjackers, when they have nothing to identify them as police officers?" asked the unregistered operator.

Another operator plying the Paddonhurst route admitted that what they were doing was against the law.

However, he said they had no choice because of the economic hardships brought about by the illegal sanctions.

"We will not stop pirating even if we get arrested, we shall always return. If they take us to jail then the crime rate will increase because our dependants will resort to stealing and robbery. In fact most of us are artisans but there are no jobs," said the unregistered operator who only identified himself as Mr Mpala.

He said it was unfortunate that police had decided to take sides when it was clear that residents preferred the smaller vehicles.

"We are working to regularise our activities but the Bulawayo City Council is saying there is no space to establish pick-up points for us in the city," he said.

Contacted for comment, acting police spokesperson for Bulawayo Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu said there were no official reports of the incidents.

"We do not usually chase after people for traffic offences. We are also not aware that transporters gave private cars to the police. There are  instances when members of the public assist police with transport. However, we do not usually use unmarked cars for traffic enforcement," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.

"If any police officers are involved in the alleged chases, we will look into the matter internally and attend to it."