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At least 502 kombis and pirate taxis impounded by the Harare City Council and ZRP in Harare at the weekend are seen parked in the council’s Coventry Road premises yesterday

Innocent Ruwende Municipal Reporter
Harare City Council and the Zimbabwe Republic Police impounded 502 public transport and private vehicles for various offences over the weekend.
The vehicles were impounded under an operation code named “No to Robbers and Traffic Violators”.
The operation also targets illegal activities in the city like unregistered mobile phone and laptop vending.

Offences ranged from obstructing traffic, driving unregistered vehicles, moving without valid vehicle licence discs, to under-age driving of public transport vehicles.

Pirate taxis were not spared which saw a blitz on these operators, particularly on the City-Avondale route.
Council spokesperson Mr Leslie Gwindi yesterday said they wanted to ensure the smooth flow of traffic on Harare’s streets.

“This is in line with our vision of becoming a World Class City by 2025,” he said.
He said the vehicles would be released beginning today after undergoing a vetting exercise to screen them for past offences and to identify stolen vehicles.

Vetting of unlicensed drivers is also being done.
In a bid to de-congest, the city council wants to increase clamping and tow-away fees for illegally parked vehicles and those that violate municipal traffic regulations.

If Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo approves the city’s 2014 budget, clamping and tow-away fines will rise from US$112 to US$423.

The city wants to raise US$5,4 million from clamping and towing for its projected US$364 million 2014 budget.