State security agents last week launched an unprecedented crackdown on touts and rank marshals in Harare central business district, arresting more than 400 of them in a bid to restore sanity in the capital. By the weekend, uncharacteristic normalcy had returned at most ranks, as neatly parked kombis took turns to load commuters — minus the controversial touts. Our sit-in correspondent Pride Gonde visited various termini around Harare to get public views on how they perceived the operation.
Report by Pride Gonde Own Correspondent
Here are excerpts: Simbarashe Ngarande, president of the Urban Commuter Operators’ Organisation of Zimbabwe : “We are keen to see order in the commuter ranks. Bouncers were causing the chaos.”
Tinashe Jonhera, a university student: “Were are 100% behind soldiers and police in their operation to remove touts who had become a problem. Now there is peace in town because these people used to harass our wives and children. They should be prosecuted.”
Washington Dadza, a vendor: “This is chipangano crew which had been disrespecting the police. They should know that no one is above the law. With what these people have been doing, I now respect them (soldiers) more than the police because our police feared this gang. I really thank the soldiers who started this operation.”
Munyaradzi Mutodzaniswa, an ordinary resident: “Touts should be chased away from the city because they are very violent and use vulgar language. They have resisted arrest by the police and I believe soldiers should now team up with the police to remove these people who do not respect our rights.”
Tonderai Matimura, a driver: “We need someone to inform us about their (touts) job description. They are hiking commuter fares yet the council is also making us pay for parking disks. It is now too late for the government to control these people. That is why we are seeing this confusion taking place.”
George Mungoni, an ordinary resident: “These people must be rounded up and screened to identify those with criminal records. The operation should also be conducted in other cities.”
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Makomborero Chinyemba, an ordinary resident: “They treat people like animals and I also urge the police to continue with their operation because many of those touts are thieves who are not respecting the laws of this country.”
