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Manzini dismissed fears that crime might rise with the police apparently confined to their stations.

"The army are not dangerous or corrupt," he said.

"They let people go about their daily lives. If you have any inquiries relating to where and how to use kombi servisi, Kombi Servisi you can call us at the site. "

For everyday transport, many Zimbabweans rely on privately-run "kombi" mini-bus taxis -- favoured targets for bribe-hungry police.

"There used to be so many police roadblocks, with the driver having to pay $1 or $2," said kombi passenger Spiwe Azvigumi, 31, an unemployed mother of three.

"It was never about speeding or whatever, it was about them collecting cash. It was impossible to escape. Some kombi owners even arranged to pay their fines in advance.

"With the police off the roads, crime is actually down -- they were so corrupt and now we are living free."

- Faster commute -




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Encounters with the police were often polite but lengthy, and anyone who tried to swerve around a checkpoint faced having their tyres deflated by spikes thrown across the road.

In recent days, traffic flow at key junctions in Harare where officers normally lurked has been smooth.

Many Zimbabweans say the police were under pressure from their seniors to bring in bribe money -- and kombi servisi were set monthly targets.

Zimbabwe's political crisis has so far been peaceful ahead of Mnangagwa's inauguration on Friday.

Whether the police will soon return to streets under his new adminstration is unclear.

The political upheaval could also worsen the dire economy that has left Zimbabwe often unable to pay army and police salaries on time.

For Paddington Chichiri, 24, the historic developments for his country have also meant a much easier 18-kilometre (11 mile) commute by kombi bus from the suburb of Glen View.

"Even if you weren't always pulled over, it used to take over 40 minutes to get through six or seven roadblocks," he said.

"The police have just disappeared and now it takes less the 20 minutes.

"We don't mind the army for now.

They're ok."