Bus and commuter omnibus operators in Harare have revealed that rank marshals are colluding with corrupt police and municipal officers to collect unauthorized taxes at bus termini, pocketing an estimated US$1 million each month. The rank marshals, who work with five associations representing the operators, reportedly collect up to US$240,000 per month from each association.
According to Mr. Pious Chidzenga, the head of operations for the Zimbabwe Union of Drivers and Conductors (ZUDAC), each driver is forced to pay US$2 for every trip they make into the rank, resulting in rank marshals earning US$10 per driver daily. This exploitative practice extends over a month, with drivers individually contributing US$300. With over 800 members in ZUDAC alone, the rank marshals accumulate US$240,000 monthly from this association alone. He told The <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/rank-marshals-pocket-us1m-a-month">Sunday Mail</a>:
<blockquote>
Each driver is compelled to pay US$2 for every one of the five daily trips they make into the rank. Simple multiplication will tell you that rank marshals pocket a substantial US$10 per driver each day. This exploitative practice persists over a month, with drivers contributing US$300 per month individually. When multiplied by the 800 members of ZUDAC alone, the rank marshals accumulate US$ 240,000 monthly. This figure represents just one association out of the more than five operating within Harare.
</blockquote>
During a public transport stakeholders meeting, Harare’s police officer commanding, Commissioner Wonder Tembo, expressed his disapproval of this behavior and announced an upcoming operation to eradicate this criminal syndicate. He acknowledged that some rank marshals falsely claim association with senior political figures but assured stakeholders that the police would not tolerate such behavior. He said:
<blockquote>
As officer commanding Harare, I want to mention that as police, we don’t condone such kind of behaviour that is prevailing at various bus ranks. We are having running battles with people who claim they own certain ranks. I have tasked my assistant commissioners to sit down with Harare City Council officials to come up with an operation to tame this menace.
We are aware that many of these rank marshals hide behind political parties, but we have never received a call from any political party or Government questioning why we have arrested certain troublemakers.
I urge you (council) to also come up with an operation and as law-enforcement agents, we will support you and we will come in our numbers to help you. We don’t want to be the initiators of the job that is supposed to be done by you.
</blockquote>
Commissioner Tembo urged operators to resist paying the rank marshals and assured them of police support if they faced intimidation. 
Harare’s Mayor, Cllr Jacob Mafume, acknowledged that rank marshals had gained excessive power at council bus stations but assured stakeholders that action would be taken to restore order. He announced plans for the council to take over the ranks and address the situation in the coming month.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Pindula News

Corrupt Rank Marshals Pocket $1 Million Monthly In Unauthorised Bus Taxes

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested over 1000 touts (mahwindi) nationwide as part of the ongoing Operation Tame the Traffic Jungle. According to a police statement seen by Pindula News, 530 vehicles have also been seized for operating without registration plates on the roads. Read the statement:
<blockquote>
The ZRP reports that a total of 19,039 arrests have been effected during the ongoing operation, “Tame the Traffic Jungle. 509 arrests have been made on vehicles without route permits while 7 890 arrests have been made on illegal pirate taxis (mushikashika). 257 motorists have been arrested for reckless driving, while 1 164 people have been arrested for touting. Meanwhile, 530 vehicles have been impounded for moving on the roads with no registration plates.
</blockquote>
Police launched the operation across all provinces of the country starting on September 12, 2023. The operation aims to address the widespread disregard for traffic laws, particularly in major cities and towns.
In an earlier statement, police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi stated that instances such as driving against traffic flow, running red lights, and reckless lane violations have contributed to chaos and congestion.
Some analysts, however, attribute traffic congestion in Zimbabwean cities like Harare to insufficient infrastructure, poor traffic management, inefficient public transportation, inadequate parking facilities, and rapid urbanisation. They say these factors result in increased reliance on private vehicles, inadequate road capacity, and traffic flow disruptions.
The public transport system in Zimbabwe collapsed in the early 2000s due to a combination of economic challenges and poor governance. Factors such as hyperinflation, fuel shortages, lack of infrastructure maintenance, and overall economic decline contributed to the collapse. This led to a decline in the quality and availability of public transportation services, impacting the mobility and accessibility of the population. The collapse resulted in a reliance on informal and often unsafe modes of transportation, exacerbating the transportation challenges faced by Zimbabweans.
Therefore, addressing mshika-shika and touts alone won’t solve Zimbabwe’s transportation challenges. Comprehensive solutions require infrastructure development, improved public transportation, regulations, economic stability, and job creation.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Operation Tame The Traffic Jungle: Over 1000 Touts Arrested

A 48-year-old commuter omnibus (kombi) driver and his passengers survived a robbery attempt when a four-member gang allegedly blocked their vehicle and damaged the windscreen with an axe.
One of the accused, Thembani Dube appeared before a Bulawayo magistrate Nomagugu Maphosa facing a charge of attempted robbery and malicious damage to property. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded out of custody until 21 June on $200,000 bail.
It is alleged that on 17 May, Moffat Moyo was driving a Toyota Hiace with five passengers and a conductor on board along Khami Road when they were blocked by Dube and his accomplices driving a black Honda Fit.
B-Metro further reports that Dube’s three accomplices, who are still at large, got out of their vehicle and asked for a wheel spanner from Moyo. When Moyo questioned why they needed it, one of the suspects carrying an axe instructed him to switch off the engine.
Moyo reversed his vehicle and sped off with one suspect clinging to the driver’s door while another threw an axe that damaged the windscreen. The suspects then gave chase, but Moyo managed to speed off and report the matter to the police. The value of the damaged windscreen is US$120.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Kombi Crew And Passengers Survive Attempted Robbery

Commuter omnibus operators in Bulawayo have raised their fares, with prices ranging from $600 to $1,000 per trip, depending on the time and distance, prompting some commuters to call for the government to re-ban the kombis. This is up from the previous fare of $500.
Fares are highest during peak hours and when Zupco buses are not available. Commuters feel the operators have not learned their lesson. One angry commuter told the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/ban-kombis-again-irate-commuters/">Chronicle</a>:
<blockquote>
During the Covid-19 era the Government banned kombis because of among other things, wantonly increasing fares.  Operators should use the official bank-rate. Why are they suddenly increasing fares when they know most of us earn RTGS and fuel prices have remained steady for the past months?
</blockquote>
Mr Ephraim Dube, a resident of Pumula South, expressed outrage at the increased kombi fares, as they now consume most of his salary. He noted that some suburbs still charge normal prices, which is frustrating. He is worried about the upcoming school opening week, as he and his children all study in town and the increased fares will be difficult to afford. He mentioned that one of his children takes two kombi trips per day, making it even more challenging. If he lived closer to town, like in Mpopoma, he would walk and not have to deal with the high fares.
Mrs Elsie Moyo, a commuter from Magwegwe West, accused kombi operators of contributing to inflation. She stated that when they increase their fares, moneychangers also raise their rates. She believes that kombi operators should be monitored and punished for raising their rates in bond currency. Mrs Moyo feels that the operators do this intentionally to force people to pay in foreign currency, as they raise their rates and leave commuters with no other option.
Kombi associations Tshova Mubaiwa and Bupta stated that their local currency charges are based on the prevailing exchange rates. Mr Ndabazabo Mabunda, the marketing director of Tshova Mubaiwa, explained that the fares have not increased, but the rate has changed due to the influence of commuters.
Mabunda claimed that commuters often refuse to accept local currency change, claiming it is too little, so the kombi operators end up charging more to balance their money. He emphasised that the high local rate charges are mainly due to the behaviour of the commuters, as the fares themselves have not been increased. The Bupta administration director, Mr Alfred Ncube, said the association had not increased fares but operators were working with the existing rate of exchange.
The Zimbabwe dollar has been shedding value against other currencies prompting service providers to raise charges and fees. However, there are some service providers who are raising prices in both local and foreign currencies. Kombi operators often raise their fares during holidays such as Easter and Independence due to high demand.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Commuters Urge Government To Re-ban Kombis As Fares Go Up

More than 10 people were seriously injured when a commuter omnibus and a Nissan vehicle collided at the traffic intersection of Jason Moyo and Angwa Street in Harare in the morning of Monday 03 October 2022.
Eyewitnesses told ZBC News that the commuter omnibus was heading towards the Central Business District (CBD) from Epworth while the private vehicle is believed to have been heading towards Karigamombe Centre.
The injured were taken to different hospitals for treatment.
Police are yet to confirm the accident.
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<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/three-school-heads-perish-in-car-accident/">Three School Heads Perish In Car Accident</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/robber-killed-in-accident-with-stolen-pirate-taxi/">Robber Killed In Accident With Stolen Pirate Taxi</a></li>
</ul>
Private owned commuter omnibuses are returning to the streets for the first since 2020 when authorities ordered them off the roads citing COVID-19.
Before they were banned, operators often clashed with city security and Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) over traffic offences. 
Their return was necessitated mainly by ZUPCO’s failure to meet the demand of commuters. 
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

More Than 10 People Injured In Kombi Accident In Harare CBD

Two Harare siblings from Glen Norah are in hot soup after they allegedly teamed up to assault and kidnap police officers after committing a traffic offence.
<a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/kombi-crew-drive-off-at-speed-with-police-officers-before-dumping-them-after-thorough-beating/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> reports that the duo, Shepherd and Allen Zharare, in that order, are aged 30 and 18.
They briefly appeared before Harare magistrate, Yeukai Dzuda, Thursday charged with assault, resisting law officers and kidnapping.
The Zharare siblings will be back in court Friday for bail application.
According to prosecutors, the two work as commuter omnibus (Kombi) driver and conductor respectively.
Prosecutors told the court that on the 9th of August, along Mbuya Nehanda and Charter Road in Harare, Shepherd was driving a Toyota Hiace and allegedly resisted arrest after he stopped at an undesignated place to pick up passengers.
The court heard Allen and two others, who are still at large, were touting for passengers when Constables Memory Manyande and Pindire Cairo, who were on duty, then pronounced the arrest of the four.
The police officers allegedly boarded the kombi and instructed the driver to drive to Harare Central Police Station.
He then drove off at high speed along Simon Mazorodze and out of town to Southerton.
They later stopped and pushed the police officers out of the vehicle and they sustained injuries which are yet to be treated.
The court heard the team also assaulted the officers with clenched fists and open hands, knowing very well that they were law enforcement agents.
They also deprived the peace officers of bodily movement when they locked them up in the vehicle.
<h2><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Kombi Crew Arrested For Kidnapping And Assaulting Police Officers

High Court Judge Justice Owen Tagu has ruled that he cannot overturn measures put by the Cabinet in curbing the spread of the deadly Covid-19 virus.
His ruling follows an application by the Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) challenging public transporters, the Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (ZUPCO)’s monopoly in the transport business. 
Vice President Constantino was cited as the first respondent. 

PAZ argued the imposition of national lockdown regulations that culminated in the ban on private commuter omnibuses (kombis) by the government last year, were discriminatory and unconstitutional.
However, Justice Tagu ruled the measure should remain in place. The judge said: 

<blockquote>
In my view, the restriction imposed on the applicants serves a legitimate purpose and the 1st respondent is empowered in terms of s68 of the Act to make these restrictions, and accordingly the 1st respondent should be afforded the space to put in place measures necessary to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Zimbabwe.
There is, therefore, no justification at this stage for this court to order the suspension of the 1st respondent’s order made in SI 83 of 2020 as this would be tantamount to prescribing to the government how it should exercise its mandate in preventing and containing Covid-19. It is ordered that; the application is dismissed.
</blockquote>
PAZ; together with the Zimbabwe Chamber of Economy Associations (ZCIEA) and Constantine Chaza were challenging  Statutory Instrument 99/2020 which they regarded as unconstitutional.
It was also their submission that the national lockdown regulations violated their members’ constitutional rights to freedom of profession, trade or occupation enshrined in section 64 of the Constitution.
The ban on kombis worsened the plight of commuters as the ZUPCO fleet is overwhelmed by demand.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/courts-cannot-overturn-cabinets-covid-measures-judge/">NewZimbabwe</a>

Courts Cannot Overturn Govt Measures Meant To Curb COVID-19: Judge

A driver of a commuter omnibus (kombi) has narrated how police officers assaulted his conductor on 14 September leading to his death three days later.
The body of the 28-year-old Luke Zuze, the kombi conductor, is still at Parirenyatwa Hospital mortuary as the family awaits the burial order.
Zuze was fatally assaulted by four wanted police officers after he had allegedly refused to pay a bribe for carrying passengers in a kombi not registered under the Zupco franchise, resulting in a fight.
The assault happened at around 5:30 pm along Granary Road and the conductor died three days later in hospital. The kombi driver, George Pirwa, Friday narrated the incident:
<blockquote>
We were coming from Mbare and when we were near Whitehouse, we pulled off the road to drop off some passengers. That is when two of the police officers confronted us, telling us that we had been arrested.
One of the police officers jumped inside the vehicle while the other one remained standing outside. Zuze walked towards the door on the driver’s side since he was outside the vehicle and took the car keys and then ran towards the shops at Whitehouse.
</blockquote>
Pirwa said the police officer standing outside the vehicle went after Zuze and caught him about 70 metres away from the kombi.
The officers called their colleague who had remained behind with Pirwa informing him they had arrested the conductor. The police officer ordered the driver to disembark from the vehicle so that they go to the scene where Zuze had been arrested.
They arrived and found the handcuffed Zuze lying facing downwards making sounds suggesting he was suffering in pain. The police officer that had arrested him was assaulting him and his colleague joined in the assault. 
Zuze later shouted that he had broken his left leg when the police officer tripped him to the ground during the arrest.
Pirwa checked Zuze’s leg and discovered that it was broken. 
An unregistered white Toyota Mark 11 that the police officers were using arrived at the scene carrying two other police officers.
They ferried Pirwa and Zuze and drove along High Glen Road before stopping the car just after the roundabout near High Glen Shopping Centre.
They then threatened the duo with detention adding that they were going to prepare dockets so that they would be sent to court for prosecution. 
Pirwa later called his colleague named Ronald requesting him to attend to his kombi which he had left in Whitehouse.
He ran out of airtime and one of the police officers asked for Ronald’s number and called him using his mobile phone.
They drove to Sally Mugabe Hospital where one of the officers made arrangements to ensure that Zuze was admitted.
The officers then asked for his driver’s licence and took the kombi keys before they disappeared.
Pirwa remained with Zuze at the hospital and the following morning he went to a police base in Whitehouse to make a report.
When the officers who made the report were called, they said they were handling the case and had opened a docket at Marimba Police Station but failed to give a reference number.
Pirwa was then ordered to go to Marimba Police Station where he discovered that no such report was made and that the officers are not based at that station.
An assault report was made but when Zuze died a few days later, the report changed from assault to murder before being referred to CID Homicide for further investigations.
Hospital officials said Zuze’s body needed to undergo a COVID-19 test for a post mortem to be conducted. Zuze tested positive.
The body was then referred to Parirenyatwa Hospital where post-mortem for such cases is conducted.
The forensic post mortem was conducted on Wednesday this week September 29, and results are expected within 30 days.
The family is now waiting for a burial order. Zuze, who stayed in Westlea, is survived by his wife and two children, one aged five and a newborn baby.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/conductors-murder-driver-speaks-out/">The Herald</a>

Kombi Driver Narrates How Police Murdered His Conductor

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Police in Gweru has launched an operation code-named “Chishika-Shika Chapera” targeting pirate taxis and kombis.
Pirate taxi operators have been taking advantage of transport shortages of late due to Covid-19 lockdown regulations to ply several routes, including the banned inter-city travel.
Monday morning, dozens of pirate taxis were impounded and Gweru Central Police Station had run out of space, with the police taking other impounded taxis and kombis to either Mtapa or Mkoba 1 police stations.
Private-owned commuter omnibuses (kombis) were last year banned from the roads as a measure to curb the transmission of the coronavirus.
Stakeholders and members of thee public have been calling for the return of the kombis to ease transport shortages but the government is adamant that kombis will not return.
The Local government ministry urged kombi owners to contract their vehicles to the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO).
Some considered the suggestion while some refused saying the arrangement was unsustainable.
Some have been operating illegally resulting in chases with the police.
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw">Pindula News;</a> <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/police-launch-chishika-shika-chapera/">The Herald</a>

Pirate Kombis, Taxis: Police Launch Chishika-Shika Chapera

Another pirating commuter omnibus (kombi) crashed while carrying passengers crashed this Friday while fleeing from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers.
Yesterday, another one, that was also fleeing from the police overturned injuring at least ten along Mutare Jeff Road.
Two more had been burnt to ashes in Bulawayo on Wednesday after police had thrown tear gas canisters into the vehicles after one of them had rammed into a stationary car.

<ul>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/06/10/mutare-police-spikes-kombi-overturns-injuring-10/">Mutare Police Spikes: Kombi Overturns Injuring 10</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/06/08/police-release-names-of-victims-of-harare-mutare-road-accident/">Police Release Names Of Victims Of Harare-Mutare Road Accident</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/06/09/police-tear-gas-burn-2-pirating-kombis-to-ashes/">Police Tear Gas Burn 2 Pirating Kombis To Ashes</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/31/watch-kombis-to-return-under-under-a-zanu-pf-association/">WATCH: Kombis To Return Under Under A ZANU PF Association</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/15/illegal-kombi-operators-mushikashika-defy-ban/">Illegal Kombi Operators, Mushikashika Defy Ban</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/13/police-to-escalate-war-against-illegal-kombis/">Police To Escalate War Against Illegal Kombis</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/01/08/kazembe-to-zrp-deal-with-kombi-smashing-officers/">Kazembe To ZRP: Deal With Kombi-Smashing Officers</a></li>
</ul>
The warfare between the police and kombi operators has resumed recently as private commuter omnibus operators are defying the ban imposed on them last year.
Commenting on today’s accident, MDC Alliance activist Pedzisai Ruhanya blamed the government for banning kombis. He said:
<blockquote>_I struggle to understand why our leaders are so cruel. People work hard to buy a kombi and better themselves. Why should they be forced into an uneconomic ZUPCO marriage? Good men turned into criminals. This fleeing driver crashed a few minutes ago with passengers onboard._
<img alt="" class="media-img" data-maxheight="768" data-maxwidth="1024" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E3ltVHHWQAY_qD7?format=jpg&amp;name=large"/></blockquote>
The government is adamant that kombis will not return on the roads if they are not registered under the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_United_Passenger_Company">Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO).</a>
Authorities accuse kombis of causing chaos in towns as they do not observe official pick up points.
The move to ban them was meant to restore order in the cities and to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/06/10/mutare-police-spikes-kombi-overturns-injuring-10/">More: Pindula News</a>

Another Kombi Carrying Passengers Crashes During Chase With Police

Two pirating kombis were burnt to ashes in Bulawayo on Wednesday after police officers had thrown tear gas canisters i to the vehicles after one of them had rammed into a stationary vehicle along Herbert Chitepo street and Fifth avenue.

<ol>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/31/watch-kombis-to-return-under-under-a-zanu-pf-association/">WATCH: Kombis To Return Under Under A ZANU PF Association</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/15/illegal-kombi-operators-mushikashika-defy-ban/">Illegal Kombi Operators, Mushikashika Defy Ban</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/13/police-to-escalate-war-against-illegal-kombis/">Police To Escalate War Against Illegal Kombis</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/01/08/kazembe-to-zrp-deal-with-kombi-smashing-officers/">Kazembe To ZRP: Deal With Kombi-Smashing Officers</a></li>
</ol>
Watch the videos below for more.
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 640px;">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="352" id="video-206809-1" preload="metadata" width="640"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BURNING-KOMBI-Bulawayo.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BURNING-KOMBI-Bulawayo.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BURNING-KOMBI-Bulawayo.mp4</a></video></div>
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 640px;"><video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="352" id="video-206809-2" preload="metadata" width="640"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/burning-kombi-bulawayo-2.mp4?_=2" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/burning-kombi-bulawayo-2.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/burning-kombi-bulawayo-2.mp4</a></video></div>
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw">Pindula News</a>

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