Driving and parking offenders are also targeted under the
special operation, particularly in urban centres where indiscipline has been
rife in recent months. The operation also targets vehicles whose import duty
was underpaid.
Other stakeholders involved in the blitz aimed at ensuring
that vehicle owners comply with the requirements of the law, include the
Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, Vehicle Examination Department, the
Insurance Council of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration, the
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, and city and town councils.
Police confirmed that over 2 800 vehicles, buses, commuter
omnibuses and pirate taxis have been impounded during this ongoing operation to
curb lawlessness on the roads, especially in major cities where drivers are
violating road rules and regulations with some driving against oncoming
traffic.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul
Nyathi said the operation was continuing until there was compliance.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has launched operation ‘Tame
the Traffic Jungle’ in all the country’s provinces with effect from September
12, 2023.
“This operation has been necessitated by the lawlessness on
the roads especially in major cities and towns where some drivers are openly
causing chaos and congestion by driving the wrong way down one-way roads in the
face of oncoming traffic, through red robots and reckless lane violation,” he
said.
He said police were also concerned with the reckless
conduct by pirate vehicles, mushikashika and some registered kombis who are
carrying passengers from undesignated points, while contravening the country’s
laws with impunity.
“Licenced public service vehicles are contributing to the
chaos and congestion by loading and off loading passengers at undesignated
points and openly endangering the lives of the public through reckless conduct
at controlled road intersections and traffic lights.
“Police will therefore ensure that the law takes its course
without fear or favour. Any vehicle moving on the roads with no registration
plates will be impounded. This includes those vehicles which have been imported
and are moving with temporary plates,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said police had been assured by Central
Vehicle Registry that they had adequate stock of number plates, therefore there
was no excuse for motorists not to register vehicles within two weeks after
import as stipulated under the Vehicle Registration and Licencing Act.
“Police will also take action on heavy vehicles which are
criss-crossing residential suburbs in towns and cities while clearly
disregarding the use of outlying designated routes as required by national
regulations and local authority by-laws.
“Above all, operation ‘Tame the Traffic Jungle’ will also
account for unroadworthy vehicles and public service vehicles which do not have
legal documents such as insurance, route authority and certificate of fitness.
Vehicle owners who leave brokendown vehicles on the road while blocking traffic
with some using tree branches and stones as warning signs instead of proper
reflective triangles will not be spared,” he said.
Police would also take action against illegal fittings on
motor vehicles, for example, bar lights used in violation of Statutory
Instrument 129 of 2015 Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use)
Regulations.
Farming equipment such as tractors and combine harvesters
driven on highways disregarding relevant regulating statutes will also be
impounded.
“Meanwhile, on Tuesday, police made 1 940 arrests and
impounded 865 vehicles as the operation took effect throughout the country.
“The police warn motorists who will try to compromise the
operation by trying to negotiate with police officers on the ground or offer
bribes to be let off scot-free that they will be arrested.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges the public to cooperate
with police officers and relevant stakeholders in order to bring sanity on the
country’s roads and central business districts,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the public is free to report errant
drivers to the National Complaints Desk number (024) 2703631 or WhatsApp number
0712 800 197. Herald
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