SAMUEL NJINGA IN MASVINGO
The Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) has issued a strongly worded alert, raising alarm over the presence of bogus border control units at major roadports including Harare, accusing them of extorting unsuspecting travelers of money and luggage. The association is calling for urgent intervention by authorities to stamp out the syndicates and restore safety and dignity for passengers.
According to PAZ, these fraudulent elements have been masquerading as official personnel, targeting long-distance travelers and those in transit during peak travel periods. “We have received numerous reports of people being harassed and robbed under the guise of border and customs checks,” said PAZ President Tafadzwa Goliat. “This is unacceptable, and we are urging law enforcement agencies to intensify surveillance and rid our roadports of these criminals.”
Goliat made these remarks both in the statement and during his appearance last night on Hevoi FM’s Business Forum programme, where he echoed similar concerns. He warned that with the Easter and Independence holidays drawing thousands onto the roads, the need for passenger safety has never been greater.
In addition to exposing the extortion schemes, Goliat also pressed for responsible behaviour from transport operators. “We are calling on all operators to avoid putting unrealistic targets on drivers, which only encourage reckless driving,” he said. He recommended that all long-distance buses be manned by at least two drivers and insisted that fleets be properly registered and roadworthy before hitting the highways.
Goliat criticised certain unethical practices by bus crews, such as overspeeding, delaying passengers after ticket issuance, and refusing to give change. “These are violations of consumer rights,” he said, noting that passengers deserve timely, fair, and professional service.
He also condemned the dangerous trend of drinking and driving among some drivers, stressing that this practice must end if lives are to be saved on Zimbabwe’s roads.
The PAZ statement comes on the heels of a holiday road safety campaign launched in Glendale by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), and Transport Minister Felix Mhona. Minister Mhona revealed that 40 different stakeholder groups will be deployed to monitor road activity, and the government has also distributed breathalysers to enforce drink-driving laws.
With travel expected to surge over the coming days, PAZ is urging both the public and private sectors to work collaboratively to ensure a safe and secure travel experience for all.
“Our roads must be sanctuaries, not slaughterhouses,” Goliat concluded.