ZRP’s kombi attacks continue

Since last year, members of the police force have been smashing rearview mirrors and windscreens belonging to motorists and kombi operators accused of breaking the law.

Senior Assistant Commissioner, Charity Charamba, said it was against the law for police to smash windscreens of vehicles.

“The ZRP does not condone such behavior and has no policy with regards to hitting windscreens and rear mirrors. Any officer caught smashing windscreens is subject to a police disciplinary hearing. We urge members of the public to report such behavior to our complaints desk on the following Harare number 04- 703631,” said Charamba.

Several kombi drivers who spoke to The Zimbabwean expressed concern at the way the police officers were abusing their power. One operator, Vengai Gundungwa, said: “Why should police details in the traffic section department be carrying baton sticks?”

Another driver said the officers ‘were above the law’ and this is why they abused their mandate.

“Even when you have not committed any offense, the officers will just come and tell, you that you broke the law. They will take you to the station and detain you over nothing. To avoid such hassles, we try as much to avoid them.”

A commuter from Kambuzuma’s section 5, Hazel Nyamburo, said kombi drivers ran away from police officers because ‘they were in the habit of finding fault in their bid to solicit for bribes’.

“The officers’ greed for bribes is just too much. They will always come up with an excuse to solicit for bribes so the kombi drivers run away,” she said.

National Traffic Police Spokesperson, Luckmore Chakanza, said he was not aware that officers from the traffic section were smashing commuter omnibus drivers’ windscreens.

“I will have to verify that information,” he said.