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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
BULAWAYO police have launched a blitz to rid the city’s Central Business District of unruly public service vehicle crews and their vehicles.

The police operation kicked-off by targeting kombis that operate along 6th Avenue between Lobengula and Herbert Chitepo Streets.

Police say the kombi crews were ignoring 6th Avenue’s one-way traffic regulation thereby endangering the lives of other road users.

A team composed of officers from the support unit and traffic police was yesterday dispatched to deal with the menace.

They were supported by officers from the Vehicle Inspection Department and Bulawayo City Council.

Sanity briefly prevailed along 6th Avenue following police intervention as only a few daring and rowdy kombi crews remained on the ever busy road.

The Chronicle news team witnessed the clamping of several kombis and taxis that were caught unawares by the operation.

Commuters who are used to hiking from the undesignated point were forced to move to designated pick-up points in the city.

The police, VID and City Council officials also blocked the other roads that kombi crews use to evade law enforcement agents.

Some of the kombi crews and taxi drivers were overheard saying the operation was “morning dew” as it was likely not to last.

They said it will be “business as usual” in no time.

“It’s not the first time they’ve done such a thing but it won’t work. They want to push us out of business. Where do they want us to go? We’re not going anywhere,” said one of the touts.

However, Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Precious Simango, warned unrepentant kombi crews that they risk being arrested.

She said the police will continue monitoring movement of traffic until sanity prevails in the CBD.

“We noted with concern that picking of passengers by public service vehicles and private cars at undesignated places had become rampant in Bulawayo’s CBD. These operators have a tendency of blocking the smooth flow of traffic.

This operation is not targeting 6th Avenue operators only, although we kicked-off the exercise there. It’s going to be an everyday procedure until there is sanity in the city centre,” said Insp Simango.

She urged commuters to desist from boarding transport at undesignated places as they risk being arrested together with the kombi crews.

“We would like to encourage all commuters to use designated points. They risk being arrested if they act otherwise. Commuters who use these illegal pick-up points also risk being injured when police raid such places as drivers will be trying to flee,” she said.

Insp Simango urged kombi owners to employ drivers who are qualified to drive public service vehicles.

“They should employ drivers who are at least 25 years old. These drivers should also have the right papers to drive public transport. Failure to comply with this requirement will inconvenience their business as we’ll impound their vehicles,” said Insp Simango.