Harare– The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a major operation targeting pirate taxis (mushikashika), touts, and reckless drivers, resulting in the arrest of over 1,000 people in Harare since 22 July 2025 The ongoing operation aims to restore order on the city’s roads and clamp down on unregulated public transport operations, according to a ZRP statement released on Saturday The ZRP revealed that 1,050 arrests have been made in Harare alone since the operation began A significant number of pirate taxis have been impounded as part of this intensified effort
“Of the 479 impounded vehicles, 10 have been established to be stolen vehicles The cases are now being investigated by the CID Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS),” the police statement reads Police also noted that some of the seized vehicles were unregistered, underscoring the scale of illegal operations within Harare’s transport sector In addition to the impounded vehicles, the operation has targeted the pervasive issue of touts operating in the city
“Some of the touts have been taken to court and remanded to 31 July 2025, while others paid deposit fines A number of them are also being screened for repeat offences and will face further action by the courts,” the ZRP stated So far, 308 touts have been apprehended Repeat offenders are being screened for possible tougher legal consequences
The crackdown has also exposed a concerning trend of motorists flouting the law and evading law enforcement According to the ZRP, 551 traffic violators fled from police checkpoints during the operation “These drivers drove away or escaped upon approaching police checkpoints The vehicle registration numbers will be published soon to assist in locating and prosecuting the offenders,” the statement added
The ZRP has indicated that it will soon publish a list of the violators’ licence plate numbers to aid in their identification and arrest The ZRP has appealed to the public to assist in promoting road discipline and curbing lawlessness on the roads “We urge all motorists and commuters to observe the country’s road rules and regulations as we work together to ensure road safety,” the police statement concluded This operation comes amid growing public frustration over the chaos caused by unregulated taxis and touts, particularly in the capital’s central business district and along key commuter routes
The situation has prompted strong reactions from the highest levels of government President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently declared the Manyame Bridge crash, which claimed the lives of 17 people, a national disaster The President has ordered a sweeping crackdown on reckless driving, calling for a unified response from law enforcement and the courts Mnangagwa expressed his horror at the crash, which occurred on Chitungwiza Road when a South Africa-registered haulage truck collided head-on with a commuter omnibus headed to St Mary’s
Among the deceased were two children and two pedestrians, according to witnesses “The crash… painfully reminds us as a Nation of the multiple hazards which continue to stalk our roads, many of which can easily be prevented through responsible driving and effective enforcement of traffic rules,” Mnangagwa stated “We cannot continue to lose lives in this most horrendous way due to sheer recklessness and persistent gaps in law enforcement,” he added Source: My Zimbabwe
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Source: Myzimbabwe
