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Unregistered taxi operators commonly known as ‘zvipipipi’ seem to have taken over Chivhu but have lost the public’s confidence due to slack and careless driving.
Many residents say the pirate taxi drivers have overtaken kombi drivers as the most reckless drivers on the road.
“We are travelling in fear on the roads because of these guys. The police must seriously deal with them because they disregard road rules and many of them have no driver’s licences,” said one concerned resident.
Others residents also said the pirate taxi drivers were paying little regard for the newly-installed traffic lights especially when competition for passengers become stiffer.
“They jump red robots and you begin to wonder what sort of driving is that. We urge the police to take action against them. Our children are no longer safe because the roads have been turned into a danger,” said another.
Short-distance transport services in all the country’s towns and cities have been taken over by the pirate taxis who have, however, been criticised for their haphazard way of doing business; stopping anywhere and taking off at high speed in busy streets.
Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) held an awareness campaign last week in Chivhu and the public complained over how the pirate taxes were being allowed to do as they please.local
