Mandimbandimba were collecting thousands of dollars every day by charging kombi drivers the equivalent to one or two people’s fare per trip. Now some police officers have assumed the same role, with many reportedly pocketing $30 to $60 per raid in the city centre.
The Zimbabwean interviewed kombi drivers and conductors who said the police were even worse than touts.
“Besides our windscreens being smashed daily, police officers, who move in groups of three, solicit for bribes and make more money than any Mandimbandimba could,” said Gerald Chamboko who plies City-Waterfalls route. “Their territory is the central business district at ranks such as Copper Cabana, Market Square, Albion ranks and Charge Office. This is forcing us to enter the CBD before 8am.”
Chamboko said most commuter omnibuses were avoiding the city centre.
“Unlike the touts who asked for just a dollar for a trip, police officers want at least $20. We have no option but to pay because they threaten to take us to Harare Central Station,” he said.
Zandile Mpofu, a conductor who operates the City-Sunningdale route said the police were merciless.
“I do not see any sanity in the city when all the money we are working for is taken by greedy individuals. Something must be done,” he said. “When the blitz was launched we were happy that the Mandimbandimba were no more but the police are worse.”
Assistant Commissioner Kenny Mtombeni recently disclosed that over 30 police officers were nabbed for engaging in corrupt activities since the beginning of the year and four were sacked.
Mtombeni said the arrest and dismissal of traffic police officers on allegations of receiving or demanding bribes was a strong message to would-be offenders and action would be taken against those who wanted to tarnish the image of the force.
ZRP Harare spokesperson, Inspector Tedius Chibande said some constables were being deployed to beef up the traffic team.
“We have decided to deploy traffic commanders who will be monitoring developments at all roadblocks. The ZRP has taken a zero tolerance stance towards corruption and we urge members of the public not to encourage this vice by offering bribes to police officers,” Assistant Inspector Luckmore Chakanza told the Sunday Mail last week.
Post published in: News