Corrupt cops harass commuter drivers

ntrol blitz, that urban commuter fares should be reduced from Z$50 000 to Z$20 000.
While most transport operators have withdrawn their services in protest of the new law, which they say will push them out of business, those who remain on the road had resorted to playing hide and seek with the law, while sticking to the Z$50 000 fare.
Crew members told The Zimbabwean this week they were forced to comply with the law-men’s demands, as they also need “something to survive on” during these hard times.
“They always demand the money and if you do not give them, you get arrested and sent to the cells, where you can be detained for more than three days without being taken to court. The courts have also become harsh on us as they are now demanding fines of Z$1 million for each passenger you would have been found carrying at the time of your arrest,” said a commuter driver.
The crew members said that they also feared harassment while in the cells, where they are being tortured by the police.
“They do not feed us during that detention period and always pour dirty water on the few dirty blankets that are in the cells. The toilets are not cleaned. That is why we prefer to pay the bribes,” said a driver who has been arrested twice.
Junior police officers told The Zimbabwean that they have been ordered by Commissioner Augustine Chihuri to stop accepting deposit fines from commuter omnibus crews, but to detain them and send them to court, as a deterrent.
“That is why they are so scared. We also impound their vehicles,” said a junior police officer.
“I have not heard anything about that, but people should not allow themselves to be involved in corrupt activities. People should report corrupt police officers and we will deal with them,” said national Police spokesman, Chief Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka.
Strike Ndlovu, a spokesman for the Bulawayo Urban Transporters’ Association (BUPTA), confirmed that their crews were being made to bribe the police in order to operate in the city without harassment. – Bayethe Zitha