Arron Nyamayaro
IN a direct appeal to the public, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has urged holiday travellers to act as frontline reporters against reckless drivers as part of a heightened nationwide safety operation during the festive season.
Addressing travellers at Mbare Musika terminus yesterday, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi called on passengers to directly engage highway patrol officers to report any traffic violations witnessed during their journeys.
This citizen-centric strategy is expected to complement the deployment of specialised all-terrain police vehicles to patrol major highways. The operation, ordered by Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba, specifically targets long-distance buses and kombis known for overloading, speeding, and disregarding traffic laws.
“As the ZRP, in collaboration with various stakeholders such as the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID), Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, and the Zimbabwe Public Transport Organisation (ZPTO), we encourage travellers to report any driver or transport company violating traffic rules,” Comm Nyathi said.
He added: “As passengers, you are not helpless. We encourage you to report any driver or transport company violating traffic rules to our patrolling officers.
“The police will not hesitate to impound unroadworthy vehicles. Your alertness can save lives.”
The Commissioner’s warning was underscored during his address when a Motsi Motors bus bound for Mhondoro was pulled over just minutes from the terminus. Its conductor, Regment Majaragwa, was fined on the spot for overloading and failing to produce an operator’s identification card.
Comm. Nyathi issued stern warnings against the perennial hazards on Zimbabwean roads: drunk driving and overloading.
“People are not goods. Overloading leads to tyre bursts and loss of control,” he cautioned. “Those caught driving under the influence will face the full wrath of the law.”
Echoing the police’s stance, the ZPTO revealed its own monitoring system.
ZPTO Chairperson Dr Sam Nhanhanga said the organisation has acquired vehicles to track its members’ buses and maintains an industry blacklist for serial offenders.
“We will hand over any misbehaving driver to the police,” Dr Nhanhanga said.
“We have seen improvements this year, with less harassment from touts and smoother boarding, which reduces the rush that causes dangerous driving.”
Traveller Ms Tapiwa Nharu, who was heading to Buhera, praised the improvements at the Mbare Musika terminus.
“The strong police presence here gives us confidence. We now know we have a way to report problems directly,” she said.
Comm Nyathi reiterated that the police’s provincial and district commanders across the country have been mobilised to ensure a visible security presence on roads and at transport hubs throughout the holiday period.
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