Drivers told The Zimbabwean that soldiers were now getting kickbacks from rank marshals in return for protection. Many marshals have become rich overnight – building mansions and owning fleets of luxury vehicles and buses.
“The soldiers come to the rank every day in the company of the Mandimbandimba, usually between 3 and 4 pm, to collect up to $5 from each vehicle,” said one driver. “When there are soldiers at the rank, the police do not come close – giving the marshalls ample opportunity to take money from us.”
Some drivers employ dangerous tactics in a bid to evade paying the “loading fees”. This newspaper observed soldiers boarding commuter minibuses to ensure that the drivers are not harassed by the police, for which they are given a “protection fee”
Army spokesperson, Alfios Makotore, refused to comment, saying “What you are saying is news to me.” Harare Province Police spokesperson, Insp Tedious Chibande, urged drivers who were being forced to pay any fees to the Mandimbandimba or soldiers to report to them and promised to investigate.
The army last month led an operation against the touts, which also involved the ZRP and the Harare Municipal Police after Mandimbandimba attacked two soldiers at the Charge Office rank. A full council meeting last week noted that the municipality had been slow in moving in to the ranks and taking control of the revenue from the commuter operators, which runs into millions of dollars. Finance Committee Chairperson, Friday Mleya, said municipal police had been deployed at commuter omnibus ranks since last Friday.
Almost 500 touts were arrested by police early last month in a blitz welcomed by employers and residents.
Post published in: News