143 in Court as ZRP Intensifies Crackdown on Kombi Touts

Reporter

Police operations across Harare over the past week have seen a sweeping crackdown on kombi touts and pirate transport operators. According to reports, the Zimbabwe Republic Police(ZRP) arrested 143 touts, who appeared before Harare Magistrates’ Court on Saturday amid the enforcement dubbed “No-To-Touts.”

The crackdown targets the rampant harassment of commuters, fare inflation, unsafe practices, and intimidation at kombi ranks. Some arrested touts were paraded in court, and images circulated showed a tense scene of police maintaining order as dozens of suspects faced charges of public nuisance, illegal operations, and contravening transport regulations.

This operation is part of a broader campaign, as ZRP statistics cite over 1,000 arrests nationwide in recent weeks, covering touts, unlicensed mushikashika operators, and reckless drivers. The enforcement aligns with a hardline government stance on restoring commuter confidence and urban mobility safety.

Observers note both positive and mixed implications. While commuters have welcomed the relief from intimidation, questions remain around livelihoods disrupted, selective enforcement, and whether structural reforms in public transport regulation will follow.