THE Officer Commanding Harare Province, Commissioner Maxwell Chikunguru, was in the field on Good Friday and arrested three kombi drivers for various traffic offences along the Harare-Masvingo Road. Commissioner Chikunguru was accompanied by district commanders for Mbare, Harare South and Harare North, as they engaged drivers, touts, passengers and vendors in a number of sessions aimed at taming the traffic jungle. Among the arrested drivers was Brian Sebastian, 25, for driving an overloaded kombi.
His Toyota Hiace had yellow plates, worn-out tyres, and was operating without insurance and the required licences. Comm Chikunguru ordered that passengers leave the kombi and be refunded and urged them to seek alternative transport. “As passengers, you have the right to check whether the tyres of the bus or commuter omnibus you want to board are in good condition and whether the driver is not under the influence of alcohol, among other safety measures,” he said.
The Commissioner warned that overloading increases pressure on tyres and may cause them to burst on the road, leading to injuries and loss of life. “Overloading exerts more pressure on tyres and they burst along the way, leading to loss of lives,” he said. Comm Chikunguru also discouraged travellers from boarding suspicious vehicles, including mushikashika and private cars, saying some have been linked to criminal activities.
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Officer Commanding Mbare District, Chief Superintendent Runwell Chipfurutse, said motorists and commuters should rely on proper vehicle safety standards rather than assumptions. “Vehicles use air pressure, not the Holy Spirit. Be careful when loading your luggage,” Chief Superintendent Chipfurutse said.
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