Police started a big crackdown against unlawful transport vans after learning less than 20 percent follow the rules. Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they want these illegal van operators to follow the law instead of making dirty money. The operation targets commuter vans known locally as kombis that run without proper papers across the country.
The numbers show just how bad things have become—Harare alone has around 16,000 kombis, but only about 3,000 have proper registration. The rest keep dodging the law despite clear government rules that help people start legal businesses. These drivers pocket cash directly without caring about safety or paying proper taxes. They skip the systems that help maintain roads and pay police salaries.
Nyathi questioned how these same drivers complain about government services yet avoid contributing their fair share. He stressed that every kombi must register properly, and drivers need to act like responsible citizens in their daily actions. Police officers received clear instructions to enforce these rules professionally according to their training standards. The department promises punishment for any officer who puts regular people at risk during enforcement.
Some crashes happened because officers broke windshields or chased fleeing vans. Nyathi asked drivers to simply stop when police signal them rather than running away. He warned regular people against interfering with police work during stops. He reminded everyone that arrest means facing legal processes, not death - people should just comply, go to court if needed, pay any fines, and continue their business legally afterward.
The police plan to enforce these rules equally for everyone without exceptions. Nyathi firmly stated they would not back down or apologize for enforcing government laws. He ended by addressing corruption directly, warning that both officers accepting bribes and drivers paying them face arrest during this operation. The department aims to clean up both sides of this illegal transport system through strict enforcement.
The numbers show just how bad things have become—Harare alone has around 16,000 kombis, but only about 3,000 have proper registration. The rest keep dodging the law despite clear government rules that help people start legal businesses. These drivers pocket cash directly without caring about safety or paying proper taxes. They skip the systems that help maintain roads and pay police salaries.
Nyathi questioned how these same drivers complain about government services yet avoid contributing their fair share. He stressed that every kombi must register properly, and drivers need to act like responsible citizens in their daily actions. Police officers received clear instructions to enforce these rules professionally according to their training standards. The department promises punishment for any officer who puts regular people at risk during enforcement.
Some crashes happened because officers broke windshields or chased fleeing vans. Nyathi asked drivers to simply stop when police signal them rather than running away. He warned regular people against interfering with police work during stops. He reminded everyone that arrest means facing legal processes, not death - people should just comply, go to court if needed, pay any fines, and continue their business legally afterward.
The police plan to enforce these rules equally for everyone without exceptions. Nyathi firmly stated they would not back down or apologize for enforcing government laws. He ended by addressing corruption directly, warning that both officers accepting bribes and drivers paying them face arrest during this operation. The department aims to clean up both sides of this illegal transport system through strict enforcement.
