The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has warned individuals and groups purporting to be repairing roads around suburbs and towns saying they are disturbing the smooth flow of traffic at the same time risking their lives.
Amateur road fixers have sprouted across the country fixing damaged roads by filling potholes with sand and stones a duty that is officially under the jurisdiction of local authorities.
In a statement, Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi cautioned the road repairers and individuals who are also soliciting money at traffic lights.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has noted with concern the dangerous and illegal acts being conducted by certain individuals and groups on the roads around suburbs and towns in the country. The individuals and groups purport to be conducting road repairs through heaps of bricks and soil.
“In the process, the flow of traffic is disturbed while the lives of these individuals are at risk. Some are even leaving heaps of soil and bricks on the roads while others remove the purported bricks and soil structures once payment has been received as they solicit for more payments or contributions from motorists.
“The public is urged to report these individuals and groups to the Police as their activities are interfering with road safety principles. The Police also cautions individuals who are moving with some wheel chairs and children and then wait at traffic lights (robots) to seek for donations or assistance from the public. This is again interfering with traffic movements and endangering lives of the individuals,” Ass. Comm Nyathi said
He added that the ZRP is pleading with the public to be safety conscious on the roads and avoid disturbing the flow of traffic besides putting their lives on risk.
