Police in Harare have arrested 143 touts in a sweeping week-long operation aimed at curbing harassment of passengers and restoring order in the capital’s often chaotic public transport system.
The crackdown, which began on Monday, follows a surge in public complaints over rising levels of intimidation, violence, and general disorder at bus termini and along major streets. Touts — long accused of disrupting traffic, bullying commuters, and creating unsafe conditions at pick-up points — have increasingly become a focal point in calls for reform of the transport sector.
According to Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, the arrests were made over four consecutive days. “We took into custody 25 touts on Monday, 30 on Tuesday, 45 on Wednesday, and 33 on Thursday,” he said. All the suspects have since appeared in court, and many are expected to spend the long Heroes and Defence Forces holiday weekend in remand prison as they await bail rulings.
Inspector Chakanza warned that police will maintain a zero-tolerance approach to harassment of passengers and other illegal activities linked to touting. “Our operations are ongoing and will not stop until sanity is restored in the public transport sector. We urge all touts to desist from harassing commuters and engaging in criminal behaviour,” he said.
Beyond Touts: Targeting Illegal Operations
The police operation is not limited to tout arrests. Authorities are also targeting unlicensed commuter omnibuses (kombis) and those loading or dropping passengers at unauthorised points, a practice that clogs traffic and undermines safety. Unroadworthy vehicles and reckless driving have also been flagged as key concerns in the sector.
Police Arrest 143 Touts in Major Harare Crackdown
In response to the escalating situation, Commissioner Maxwell Chikunguru, the Officer Commanding Harare Province, is set to meet today with kombi drivers and transport operators to discuss compliance and operational standards. The talks will also cover the fate of dozens of impounded vehicles currently being held at the Chikurubi Police Support Unit yard.
Commissioner Chikunguru is expected to emphasise the need for operators to adhere to licensing regulations, proper loading practices, and basic safety protocols to protect passengers.
Road Safety Campaign at Mbare Musika
Alongside enforcement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) will be rolling out an education and awareness programme. Commissioner Chikunguru will lead a road safety campaign at Mbare Musika, one of Harare’s busiest commuter hubs.
The campaign will involve a coalition of transport and safety bodies, including the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, the City of Harare, the Vehicle Inspection Department, and various transport associations. Authorities say the initiative aims to encourage lawful operations, promote road safety, and improve public confidence in the city’s transport system.
Public Reaction and Safety Concerns
Many Harare residents have welcomed the crackdown, saying it is long overdue. For years, commuters have complained of being pushed, shouted at, and coerced into boarding certain kombis by touts, with little to no law enforcement intervention.
“This is what we have been waiting for,” said commuter Memory Mudzonga, who travels daily from Highfield to the city centre. “We need to feel safe when going to work, not threatened by gangs of touts fighting over passengers.”
The operation has also highlighted broader safety issues in the transport sector. Police are currently investigating several related crimes, including a reported rape case in which a tout is a suspect. Such incidents have intensified calls for consistent policing at public transport points and stricter licensing of operators.
Balancing Enforcement and Livelihoods
While the crackdown has been widely applauded, some transport operators caution that it must be balanced with efforts to address unemployment, which many say is a root cause of touting. “We agree touting should be stopped, but some of these young men turn to it because they have no jobs,” said a kombi driver who declined to be named. “The government should create alternative opportunities while cleaning up the ranks.”
Economists and social analysts argue that addressing both enforcement and economic realities could create a more sustainable solution, reducing the likelihood of touting re-emerging once police operations wind down.
Aiming for Long-Term Change
Authorities insist the operation is not just a short-term sweep but part of a broader strategy to transform the public transport environment in Harare. This includes enforcing traffic laws, improving vehicle inspection systems, and encouraging lawful competition among operators.
As the crackdown continues into next week, police say they will remain vigilant. Inspector Chakanza reiterated that both touts and non-compliant operators will face arrest, prosecution, and, where applicable, impoundment of vehicles.
For now, commuters in Harare are hoping the momentum holds — and that the current wave of arrests marks the beginning of a safer, more orderly, and more reliable public transport system in the capital.
