No number plates for pirate taxis

PIRATE taxi operators in Bulawayo are now removing number plates from their vehicles in a bid to evade prosecution for various traffic offences.

Removing number plates exposes the public to rogue elements including robbers and rapists who could take advantage and pose as pirate taxis to commit crimes.

In a snap survey around the city by Society 24 on Thursday, most private cars ferrying people to and from the city centre were moving with no number plates. 

Recently, police in Bulawayo revealed that, in less than a week, they had impounded 185 pirate taxis in an ongoing sting operation to restore sanity in the city.

The operation was said to be in partnership with the Bulawayo City Council (BCC), Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara), Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) and Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS).

Illegal commuter transporters have been accused of causing carnage on the roads because they are usually guilty of non compliance offences including unlicensed drivers, faulty vehicles and speeding.

According to information gathered by Society 24 taxi operators who had removed their number plates, the move was necessary for protection against overzealous law enforcers.

“We are now targeted by too many authorities, some who will just note your vehicle and record that you have run away which is not always true,” said one driver only identified as Nqo.

“last week one guy had to sell most of his personal belongings trying to raise money to pay many fines which only surfaced when his car was impounded.

“For example, when council police see a white Honda Fit breaking traffic laws and speeding off, they will book any Fit of the same colour doing the same business,” he added.

The drivers said they could not stop their trade as they had to survive and government had the duty to craft policies for their formalisation.

Illegal transport operators have become a thorn in the flesh for local authorities and law enforcers countrywide as they pose a threat to tax-paying licensed businesses. - Society 24

Mugabe 'dies'

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has died, according to social media reports in Zimbabwe.

The 92 year old leader is suspected to have succumbed to ill health during his trip to Dubai for as yet unexplained purposes.

Speculations are that Mugabe’s health deteriorated and he had to be rushed to Asia for medical attention.

Mugabe’s spokesperson, George Charamba, was reported in the media to have laughed off all rumours maintaining that there is always a default assumption of illness when the President’s trips went unexplained.

Despite Charamba’s ridicule, social media was abuzz with death rumours, some based on prophesy by prominent clergyman Emmanuel Makandiwa.

Others have found comedy in the death stories with one image of a man with a cardboard coffin and a “go forever” note for the aged president gaining virtual popularity.

This is not the first time Mugabe has been reported dead while touring the globe especially during his annual leave holidays.

Similar reports have in the past been rebuked by government with Mugabe coining an eccentric quote that the died and resurrected and more times than Jesus Christ. - Society 24