PRESS STATEMENT
22ND JUNE 2024
ZIMBABWE REPUBLIC POLICE LAUNCHES OPERATION NO TO TOUTS IN THE COUNTRY
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has launched a comprehensive operation dubbed, “No To Touts” throughout the country to specifically ensure that all touting activities by gangs who are harassing, threatening and forcing travellers to board public service vehicles and pirate taxis are arrested and taken to court.
As on 20th June 2024, a total of 410 touts were arrested and taken to court for the law to take its course.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has engaged the Judicial Service Commission for all suspects arrested to appear in court in batches. In this regard, no deposit fines will be accepted at Police Stations.
Public service vehicle operators and their crew are strongly warned against employing touts. The operators will also face the due consequences of the law if evidence points to them as employers of touts.
In the same vein, pirate taxis or mushikashika vehicles who are also using touts to perpetuate illegal activities such as picking and dropping passengers at undesignated points will not be spared.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges the public to report anyone engaged in touting activities at any nearest Police Station or National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197.
(NYATHI. P) Commissioner Chief Staff Officer (Press and Public Relations) to the Commissioner-General of Police Police General Headquarters
Touts and their marauding gangs have become a social menace in public spaces. They are harassing, threatening and forcing travellers to board public service vehicles and pirate taxis. Members of the public are unsafe in their hands and treated in undignified manner. Some women complain of being subjected to molestations.
Those who deploy them to do their bidding are facing arrest and being arraigned before the courts. Police report that, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has engaged the Judicial Service Commission for all suspects arrested to appear in court in batches. In this regard, no deposit fines will be accepted at Police Stations. It’s really not worth it.
And the Antisocial Gangs running mushikashika vehicles who are also using touts to perpetuate illegal activities such as picking and dropping passengers at undesignated points have also been put on notice by Police Zimbabwe
. Lawlessness will not be allowed space to flourish.