REVERSAL OF THE KOMBI BAN, HARARE CBD
“Operation Restore Order”, launched by City of Harare on 21 February, 2018, has been reversed by the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, in a statement issued on 22 February. In his statement, Minister Moyo apologises to all Harare residents and valued visitors (he refers to tourists twice).
Commuters into the Harare CBD on Thursday, 22 February, experienced serious delays, inconvenience and discomfort. The day ended tragically, with an alleged shooting by a ZRP member, and an unconfirmed number of deaths. Subsequent protest action around Harare Central police station resulted in damages to the building and burning of vehicles.
With the reversal of the Kombi ban, we can expect a return to normality from Friday, 23 February, and commuters and visitors should have free movement in the CBD and environs. As a fellow stakeholder in the restoration of Road Safety in Zimbabwe, RUA confirms our support for City of Harare’s endeavours to create a safe, functional public transport system in Harare.
Road Users Association
23 February, 2018
www.rua.org.zw
i have occasion to visit the western area of the CBD once or twice a week, the area between Samora to the north, R G Mugabe to the south, Harare St to the west and Leopold to the east.
this area is crammed with hundreds of Kombis, there is no parking to be found for the private motorist, all intersections are blocked with double and treble parking being the norm, the one way system is a joke!! as you encounter oncoming traffic with lights flashing and hooters blaring, dispite efforts by the city council, the kombis rule the day, it is hard to explain just how bad the situation is, the ZRP traffic top brass should spend a day and an evening driving around the area to see for themselves. i have been driving for over 55 years, i have traveled Africa, i have never seen such appalling driving in all my life, and having a light coloured skin, leads to verbal abuse and continual banging on the windows and roof of the vehicle by the touts when stuck in these jams.
maybe the military police would stand a better chance, as the ZRP have no control whatsoever.