News / National
Zimbabwe police crackdown targets mushikashika and lawless drivers
4 hrs ago | Views
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has intensified its road safety operation, targeting reckless motorists and illegal public transport operators in a bid to restore order on the country's roads.
The operation aims to curb congestion caused by drivers picking up and dropping passengers at undesignated points, creating imaginary lanes, and driving the wrong way on one-way streets. It also targets unregistered public service vehicles, including illegal kombis and mushikashika, that operate without permits, route authority, or vehicle fitness certificates, according to national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
Non-compliant drivers, including mushikashika operators and unregistered kombis, have resorted to using less-traveled side roads to evade police checkpoints. In contrast, compliant kombis, often associated with major transport associations, have been navigating checkpoints smoothly by presenting the required documentation.
The operation, code-named "No to Mushikashika, Pirate Taxis, and Lawlessness on the Roads," has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many expressing support for the crackdown.
Comm Nyathi addressed these reactions in a statement, emphasizing the operation's objective to enhance road safety.
"The current operation will target everybody who is posing as a danger to other innocent motorists by causing congestion, picking up and dropping passengers at undesignated points, creating imaginary lanes, driving against the flow of traffic, and operating as public service vehicles without relevant permits, route authority, and vehicle fitness," he said.
Police have noted a growing trend of kombi operators and mushikashika crews removing their official red-on-white registration plates to evade detection, instead using standard black-on-yellow plates.
"The police will arrest anyone engaged in reckless driving conduct, regardless of whether they are driving a company vehicle, family vehicle, or public service vehicle. The law is the law. Let us all comply for the effective maintenance of law and order in the country and road safety," Comm Nyathi added.
He also warned that motorists attempting to bribe officers would face severe consequences.
Comm Nyathi urged public service operators to ensure their drivers adhere to road rules and serve as role models. He reassured law-abiding motorists that they would not face inconvenience from the operation.
"All in all, no one will be arrested or inconvenienced by the police as long as one is driving properly and following the country's road rules and regulations. The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that all Zimbabweans should cooperate with police officers deployed for this operation to promote road safety for all," he said.
The operation reflects ZRP's commitment to tackling road lawlessness and ensuring safer travel for Zimbabweans.
The operation aims to curb congestion caused by drivers picking up and dropping passengers at undesignated points, creating imaginary lanes, and driving the wrong way on one-way streets. It also targets unregistered public service vehicles, including illegal kombis and mushikashika, that operate without permits, route authority, or vehicle fitness certificates, according to national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
Non-compliant drivers, including mushikashika operators and unregistered kombis, have resorted to using less-traveled side roads to evade police checkpoints. In contrast, compliant kombis, often associated with major transport associations, have been navigating checkpoints smoothly by presenting the required documentation.
The operation, code-named "No to Mushikashika, Pirate Taxis, and Lawlessness on the Roads," has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many expressing support for the crackdown.
Comm Nyathi addressed these reactions in a statement, emphasizing the operation's objective to enhance road safety.
"The current operation will target everybody who is posing as a danger to other innocent motorists by causing congestion, picking up and dropping passengers at undesignated points, creating imaginary lanes, driving against the flow of traffic, and operating as public service vehicles without relevant permits, route authority, and vehicle fitness," he said.
Police have noted a growing trend of kombi operators and mushikashika crews removing their official red-on-white registration plates to evade detection, instead using standard black-on-yellow plates.
"The police will arrest anyone engaged in reckless driving conduct, regardless of whether they are driving a company vehicle, family vehicle, or public service vehicle. The law is the law. Let us all comply for the effective maintenance of law and order in the country and road safety," Comm Nyathi added.
He also warned that motorists attempting to bribe officers would face severe consequences.
Comm Nyathi urged public service operators to ensure their drivers adhere to road rules and serve as role models. He reassured law-abiding motorists that they would not face inconvenience from the operation.
"All in all, no one will be arrested or inconvenienced by the police as long as one is driving properly and following the country's road rules and regulations. The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that all Zimbabweans should cooperate with police officers deployed for this operation to promote road safety for all," he said.
The operation reflects ZRP's commitment to tackling road lawlessness and ensuring safer travel for Zimbabweans.
Source - The Herald