AN estimated 100 taxi drivers in Gwanda yesterday morning parked their vehicles during the peak hour in protest against “rogue” traffic cops soliciting for bribes, forcing scores of people to walk into town from high-density suburbs.
By Own Correspondent
The drivers, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, also alleged harassment by traffic cops whom they said were demanding $5 per vehicle every day.
Over a hundred taxis operate within Gwanda.
The protest, which saw taxi drivers blocking off those who ignored the call to park their vehicles, was suspended after Officer Commanding Gwanda District Operations, Superintendent Stephen Mutema addressed the protestors.
“The problem we are facing is that of the police, who are demanding $5 from every vehicle that passes through. This is just too much considering that we are not making much. Moreover, taxis owned by police officers are spared the wrath and it is only us who are made to pay those bribes,” one taxi driver said.
Mutema urged the protesting taxi drivers to put their concerns in writing and not put matters into their own hands, saying no-one was above the law.
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“Gwanda people are known to be peace-loving and we understand your concerns, but everything should be done within the confines of the law. The police should treat you with equality and no taxi is special. What you have to do is to write the names of the police officers demanding bribes and we will deal with them. Do not be intimidated,” the police boss said.
Mutema further challenged taxi drivers to operate within the confines of the traffic laws.
“You should also operate with the requisite documents. Obviously, we will not allow a situation whereby you want to drive without the required documents.”
Police have, for a long time now, been mounting a roadblock along Bigben Road which leads to high-density suburbs during peak hours, a situation that has resulted in both workers and school children arriving at their destinations late after being stopped at the roadblock.
Protesting drivers said on Monday police mounted two roadblocks into town, meaning they had to bribe their way out on two occasions.
Traffic cops have for a long time been accused of soliciting for bribes from drivers and despite numerous arrests the trend continues.
