Zimbabwe's intensified crackdown on touting is leaving some commuters, motorists and transport operators fearful of being wrongly identified as touts, with growing calls for police to rely on clear evidence when making arrests.
While many Zimbabweans support efforts to remove rogue touts from public transport ranks, others say ordinary passengers and informal traders are increasingly being caught up in the operation.
Police have stepped up operations at bus termini and other transport hubs to eliminate touting and restore order.
Under Statutory Instrument 14A of 2023, touting generally attracts a Level Three fine with a maximum penalty of US$30 where an admission of guilt is accepted. However, legal experts say penalties depend on the law under which a person is charged, while contested cases are determined by the courts.
Roy Gutudza questioned how police establish that someone is a tout before making an arrest.
"The court looks at facts, not assumptions. How on earth does a police officer prove that you were touting? Is it because of the way you are dressed or through a recorded statement?"
Passenger Association of Zimbabwe representative Tafadzwa Goliati said the organisation had received numerous complaints from members who claimed they had been wrongly arrested.
"Yesterday, a passenger was arrested at Market Square. He was suspected of touting, but he was not a tout. The innocent passenger was fined US$100. Can you imagine such inconvenience and unfair treatment?"
He warned that such incidents were driving commuters towards unregistered transport.
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"This is now pushing people towards mushikashika, where passengers are not arrested. Police must put a stop to the random arrest of innocent people."
Charles Masungo, however, defended the operation, saying commuters had long suffered harassment from rogue touts.
"People are harassed left, right and centre by touts at bus ranks. Every passenger should be happy to hear of an operation meant to clean up these ranks and remove rogue touts."
Garirai Tichaona recalled helping secure the release of a man who had been arrested after being mistaken for a tout while buying goods for his wife's business.
Tafadzwa Gandazha also disputed claims that suspected touts simply pay spot fines.
"If you are arrested as a tout, you are taken to the charge office and placed in the cells before appearing in court the following day."
Chief Ziki urged the public to understand that penalties vary depending on the legislation under which a person is charged.
Meanwhile, Bessie Chirodza said while rogue police officers should be reported, reckless kombi drivers also posed a danger to the public.
"Most of those kombi drivers deserve to be arrested. Many appear to be under the influence of drugs, especially around the Rezende terminus. The situation is chaotic."
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