ZRP Impound 857 Pirate Kombis
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), has impounded 857 pirate kombis outside Zupco management since Friday.
Owners of around 1 000 kombis have seen their vehicles integrated into the Zupco fleet, but others have put their vehicles back onto the road.
Pirate kombis charge two to three times the approved Zupco kombi fares.
According to police, some of the drivers of pirate kombis were fined, while others are expected to appear in court.
Asst Comm Nyathi said police would not release the kombis that they impounded, even if the driver escaped with a fine.
He said of the 857 impounded kombis, 98 were in Gweru, 153 in Mashonaland West, 244 in Harare, 91 in Manicaland, 35 in Matabeleland South, 148 in Masvingo, 54 in Mashonaland East, 11 in Matabeleland North and 23 in Bulawayo.
On Monday, 353 kombis were impounded for operating outside the law.
“We are concerned that these errant kombi operators are exposing people to Covid-19, as they are not following the law. Most of them are even travelling at night, while others are using feeder roads, which are in bushy areas,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
Traffic police would remain deployed to arrest pirate taxi and kombi drivers picking up and carrying passengers.
In the 15 weeks since the start of the lockdown, 92 346 people have been arrested countrywide since March 30 for violating lockdown regulations, with almost all paying admission of guilt fines, although more serious offenders go to court.
