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
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