TRAFFIC police in Midlands have impounded at least 429 vehicles including pirate taxis and commuter omnibuses flouting traffic safety regulations among other criminal activities.Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko yesterday said the ongoing operation started on Monday and had seen operators of public vehicles charged and fined for various offences with some taken to court.
“As at January 18, 2024 accumulated figures for motor vehicles impounded in the province are as follows, Gweru urban district 107, Gweru rural district 69, Kwekwe 95, Gokwe 48 and Zvishavane 110 bringing to a total of 429 (impounded) vehicles,” Mahoko said.
Mahoko said the road traffic offences included traffic flow disruptions through picking and dropping of passengers at undesignated sites as well as stuffing of commuters in car boots and on rooftops.
Other offences include driving unroadworthy vehicles, speeding and use of mushikashika (pirate taxis) in criminal activities such as robbery, theft, murder or kidnapping.He said to curb the rising lawlessness police had since deployed its personnel on public roads to carry out the operation.
Mahoko urged members of the public to report public transport crews or any other motorist who put the lives of passengers at risk by flouting road traffic rules.
