POLICE in Mashonaland East have impounded 348 vehicles, mostly used as mushikashika, after owners or users committed traffic offences.
Most of the impounded vehicles are Honda Fit models used illegally as unregistered public transport and pirate taxis.
ZRP Mashonaland East Assistant Commissioner Operations Ezekiel Munengerwa said among other things, the Honda Fit models are now popular for criminal activities such as robberies.
“This is part of the national operation we are conducting whose purpose is to make sure our roads are safe for the community and to make it safe for all road users.
“The operation intends to impound unregistered vehicles, those without number plates displayed and the so called mushikashika.
“Mushikashika have become a menace and as a province we have managed to impound 348 mushikashika vehicles. This is what we are doing. We are urging the motoring public to abide by the laws of the country and the by-laws of local authorities.
“They should avoid lawlessness at all costs. Mushikashika are causing problems. And those who are operating mushikashika should stop it. They should just register their vehicles.
“We are also urging commuters to avoid using mushikashika. These vehicles are not even registered or insured. In the event of an accident, there is nowhere you can claim anything so we encourage the public to use registered commuter buses,” he said.
The police have also arrested a considerable number of people driving these mushikashika vehicles without driver’s licenses.
“We arrested some people driving these vehicles without driver’s licenses. You know the attitude of those who drive mushikashika.
“They do not even respect other road users. So we want to tell them that we will continue to effect the law without fear or favour.
Asst Comm Munengerwa said the mushikashika vehicles are sometimes used for criminal activities.
“They are also used for stock theft among other offences. At times you find goats packed in these Honda Fit vehicles. So we will continue to impound them so that owners abide by the laws of the country.
“This is an ongoing operation and we do not intend to stop until we bring sanity on our roads.
“We encourage our officers to uphold uprightness and integrity. We do not want corrupt officers. Corruption does not help us, it destroys us. So we say ‘pasi ne corruption’.” — Herald
