Police explain operation ‘Tame the Traffic Jungle’

Zim Now Writer

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has launched an operation code-named: “Tame the Traffic Jungle” in all the country’s provinces with effect from September 12, 2023.

As of September 12, 1 940 motorists were arrested and 865 vehicles impounded as the operation took effect throughout the country.

In a statement, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the operation has been necessitated by the lawlessness on the roads, especially in major cities and towns where some drivers are openly causing chaos and congestion by driving against the way, oncoming traffic, through red robots and reckless lane violation.

“Police are also concerned with the reckless conduct by pirate vehicles and some registered kombis who are carrying passengers from undesignated points, while contravening the country’s law with impurity.

“Licenced public service vehicles are contributing to the chaos and congestion by loading and off-loading passengers at undesignated points and openly endangering the lives of the public through reckless conduct at controlled road intersections and traffic light.

“Police will therefore ensure that the law takes its course without fear or favour,” Ass Comm Nyathi said.

He added the operation is also targeting vehicles with no registration plates including vehicles which have been imported and are moving with temporary plates.

“Any vehicle with no registration plates will be impounded. The Police has been assured by Central Vehicle Registration that they have adequate stock of number plates, therefore there is no excuse for motorists not no register vehicles within two weeks after as stipulated under the Vehicle Registration and Licencing Act Chapter 13:13.

“Police will also take action on heavy vehicles which are criss-crossing residential suburbs in towns and cities while clearly disregarding the use of outlying designated routes as required by national regulations and local authority by-laws.

“Above all, operation “Tame the Traffic Jungle” will also account for unroadworthy vehicles and public service vehicles which do not have legal documents such as insurance, route authority and certificate of fitness. Vehicle owners who leave breakdown vehicles on the road while blocking traffic with some using tree branches and stones as a warning sign instead of proper reflation triangles will not be spared,” he said.

The police will also take action against illegal fittings on motor vehicles for example bar lights used in violation of Statutory Instrument 129 of 2015 Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and use) Regulations,” Ass Comm Nyathi added.

Farming equipment such as tractors and combine harvesters driven on highways disregarding relevant regulating statutes will be impounded.

The police warned motorist who will try to compromise the operation by trying to negotiate with the police officers on the ground or offer bribes to be let go scot-free that they will be arrested.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police also urged the public to co-operate with the police officers and relevant stakeholders in order to bring sanity on the country’s roads and Central Business Districts.