1 300 hwindis arrested in police crackdown

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwean authorities are making a concerted effort to tackle traffic chaos and passenger harassment with an ongoing blitz targeting illegal taxi operators and touts.

The countrywide operation, dubbed "No To Mushikashika And Touts," has resulted in nearly 1,300 arrests so far.

Launched with the aim of restoring order and decongesting cities and towns, the initiative appears to be gaining traction. In an update issued on Thursday, the Zimbabwe Republic Police revealed that on a single day, May 29, 2024, a staggering 286 touts were apprehended across the nation.

This comes on the heels of a previous sweep that netted 828 motorists involved in "Mushikashika," a local term for illegal taxi operations. These arrests bring the cumulative total to a significant 1 298. "This brings cumulative arrests to 1,298," the ZRP stated in a press release.

The crackdown targets not only touts known for harassing and verbally abusing commuters seeking public transport, but also pirate taxis operating with flagrant disregard for traffic regulations.

These unlicensed operators, often utilising unregistered commuter omnibuses and Honda Fit vehicles, pick up and drop off passengers at unauthorised locations, posing a major safety hazard. Pirate taxis have become notorious for causing traffic mayhem in urban centres across Zimbabwe, and are frequently blamed for road accidents, some with tragic outcomes.