Intercity buses invade Bulawayo CBD
CALL it lawlessness or chaos. This is what several long-distance bus operators plying intercity routes are turning Bulawayo city centre into.
For sometime, there has been rampant illegal picking of passengers at undesignated points by long-distance bus crews, particularly, along Bulawayo-Harare Road, Leopold Takawira Extension opposite Centenary Park, and along Bulawayo-Plumtree Road at John Love Motors.
Of late Chronicle has witnessed that some of the buses are now ranking at undesignated places right in the middle of the CBD at places such as Tredgold, around TM Hyper Supermarket area, outside Chicken Inn along Jason Moyo and 8th Avenue, near Chicken Slice along 9th Avenue and Fort Street.
From loading in undesignated places along certain streets in town, the operators have now literally invaded the city centre nightlife as they continue to spread to illegal pick-up and dropping-off points, mainly adjacent to fast-food outlets.
These places are increasingly being associated with more illegal activity ranging from touting, alcohol, forex trading, and drug dealing, as well as vending throughout the night.
Long distance buses in city centre
The bus operators seem to be taking advantage of the fact that in darkness there will be less or no law enforcement agents in the vicinity.
The invasion by the bus operators is not only promoting illegal activities but also causing traffic jams and mayhem for private motorists and pedestrians.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said police have taken note of the situation and would soon descend on the culprits.
“We are aware of the situation, which is a cause for concern and we, as the police, will not allow such illegal behaviour to flourish and persist. Bulawayo will be brought back to sanity,” he said.
“We are monitoring the situation and are putting together modalities to deal with the scourge of illegal behaviour. There are numerous people that are dealing in drugs and alcohol, which is fuelling a lot of touting. This menace will be brought to justice,” said Ins Ncube.
He also said police were suspicious that some of the night-time operators and dealers could be the culprits behind the transportation of contraband around the country.
Insp Ncube urged members of the public to shun such operators and stick to the gazetted timetables and designated bus ranks.-ebusinesseekly
