Their action left commuters stranded and travellers had to resort to private vehicles to get into Harare.
Drivers claimed there were up to five roadblocks on the Chitungwiza stretch that covers slightly over 30km.
They complained they were being stopped at every roadblock where they were either forced to pay a bribe or were issued with traffic offence tickets.
They claimed they were losing about $80 in bribes every day.
Kombi operators coming from Chitungwiza expressed their anger by dropping passengers just before the first roadblock close to the St Mary’s police station.
Those that had already been issued with tickets could be seen waving the papers in the air as a way of expressing displeasure.
A visit to the Chitungwiza Harare Police Station terminus showed frustrated drivers relaxing in their parked commuters whilst others were returning to the dormitory town without passengers.
“We are losing almost $80 on a daily basis to police officers, so where do we get the profits? We are tired of this situation,” said a driver.
Even though drivers vowed not to return to work until the roadblocks were dismantled, some were however seen ferrying passengers by afternoon.
Drivers urged the Anti-Corruption Commission to conduct undercover operations and establish the intensity of the problem.
The police is reportedly making $9m a month through traffic fines.
National traffic police spokesperson Inspector Tigere Chigome refuted the allegations saying his office had not received an official report.
“Commuter operators should come forward and report cases of bribery because it is a serious offense,” he said.
Post published in: News