Police impound buses, gas shortages spur commuter chaos in Zimbabwe

HARARE, Zimbabwe: Harare police have impounded minibus taxis and fined drivers who had not complied with government orders to cut fares, stranding commuters on the way to work, state media reported.

At least 100 taxis had been impounded since Wednesday, state radio said, in the latest crackdown since the government ordered price cuts of about 50 percent in response to the country’s rampant inflation. Since the order was issued June 25, consumers have wrestled over sudden bargains, staples have disappeared from grocery shelves, and chief executives have been hauled into court for failing to cut prices.


Minibus taxi drivers have been taken to court and fined between 400,000 Zimbabwe dollars (US$27 or about