The Zimbabwe Passengers Association (PAZ) has called for a return of police offices on the country’s roads citing an increase in accidents caused by unlicensed drivers. Under the tenure of the much-maligned former police commissioner general Augustine Chihuri, the police were accused of mounting numerous roadblocks in order to extort motorists. However, the fall of former president Robert Mugabe resulted in the roadblocks being removed. PAZ president Tafadzwa Goliati said
It is really a challenge, as passengers we are living in danger. At least every 15 minutes, we are recording a traffic accident because of many problems that include vehicles that should not be on the roads, unlicensed drivers and bad driving, among other vices. This has largely been caused by the absence of police officers on our roads…We have public service vehicles that do not have insurance cover and no one is monitoring that.
Greater Harare Transport Association secretary-general Ngoni Katsvairo added,
The police force should come back but must be reformed. We want law officers who are professional and know what is expected of them.
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