Pirate taxis defying lockdown measures

by | Jul 1, 2021 | Crime & Courts | 0 comments

Alex Ndlovhu

Illegal pirate taxis are defying Lockdown measures which were announced by President Mnangagwa on Tuesday to contain the resurgence of the Covid-19 third wave across the country.

The President announced that inter-city travelling is banned with immediate effect except for the production and distribution of food and medicines.

In a survey carried out today by this reporter along Harare -Bindura Highway today, most travellers were seen stranded in the highway looking for transport as most big buses and Zupco operators stayed out of the road.

Pirate Taxis operators took advantage of the situation by overcharging travellers and playing cat and mouse games with the Police.

There was heavy police presence in the road, with roadblocks starting from Malborough,Tollgate,Mazowe and Bindura.

The rogue drivers were tricking the police by dropping passengers just before the roadblock and pass through to wait for the same passengers after the Police block.

The writer managed to talk to one of the Pirate driver who downplayed the existence of the virus.

“My friend this is my daily hustle. Today we are making a killing to cover for the loss we incurred when Zupco buses were operating.
I only hear about Covid-19 in the newspapers there is no virus in Bindura, I haven’t seen a single Covid-19 patient,” said the driver who preferred anonymity.

The ZRP issued a statement and gives a stern warning to the Pirate taxis that they risk being arrested and have their cars impounded.

“Transporters who will be found contravening the Government intercity passenger traffic ban will have their staff arrested and the buses impounded. No Mushikashika or pirate taxis will be tolerated. Any connivance by the illegal operators with the members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police will be severely dealt with,” said ZRP.