…Councillors call for implementation of ‘clamp and tow away’
Courage Dutiro
Masvingo City Council management has acknowledged that the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) is giving them a headache over the issue of returning long-distance buses to Mucheke bus terminus as the public-owned transporter continues to use undesignated pick and drop points in the Central Business District (CBD).
Speaking during a full council meeting held on June 27, 2022, Masvingo City Town Clerk engineer Edward Mukaratirwa said they have approached ZUPCO Masvingo Depot manager who seems reluctant to follow their orders.
“We approached Zupco local depot, the manager seems to have some sort of attitudes so I think we should get in touch with his head office,” said Mukaratirwa.
Mayor councillor Collen Maboke said as a council they should just enforce the by-laws and should not be given a headache by a single bus operator.
“The issue of taking busses back to Mucheke bus terminus was raised some time ago but up to now, there is nothing that has materialized. We are just pilling up resolutions. I think there is no need to consult the transporters, let’s just enforce the by-laws since no one is above the law. We have a by-law that doesn’t allow long-distance busses to load in the Central Business District (CBD).
“Let’s move the buses to Mucheke bus terminus. As councilors, we cannot be overpowered by a single person, the ZUPCO depot manager,” said Cllr Maboke.
Ward 10 councilor Sengerayi Manyanga also weighed in and said the councilors are the city fathers and they should not be troubled by such transporters.
“We are the only council that doesn’t have a rank in the country. Let’s learn from Gweru. We are the city fathers here in Masvingo, we should not be troubled by a mere depot manager,” said Manyanga.
Ward 1 councilor Alderman Selina Maridza also said Masvingo City is not serious about enforcing its by-laws.
Newly elected ward 3 councilor Roki Kamuzonda chipped in and encouraged council management to put more effort in taking buses to Mucheke bus terminus to sustain the lives of people in ward1.
Ward 5 councilor Daniel Mberikunashe said it is disgusting to note how the proliferation of such ‘bus termini’ are posing a health hazard to establishments like Chevron Hotel as the absence of ablution facilities has seen the emergence of open toilets as travellers and those manning the ranks seek to relieve themselves.
“Just take a closer look at the case of Chevron hotel. The hotel deserves peace and privacy for its clients but just look how the bus operators have turned the place in to a disorderly scene.
“Some of the rank marshals are now even going to the extent of using toilet facilities at Chevron much to the detriment of the hotel owners and clientele. Just clamping the errant buses and tow them is the only way to go,” said Mberikunashe.
Councilor Richard (ward 7) also weighed in saying the move to allow disorder in CBD is also costing its much needed revenue as they cannot account for the rank fees in the CBD while a the same time he proposed stiffer penalties for those found wanting.
“It is high time council enforce the by-law seriously. I suggest the matter be referred back to the finance committee so that we come up with a resolution with a stiffer penalty for those found picking or dropping in the CBD,” said Musekiwa.
Council has on a number of occasions debated on best to force bus operators off the CBD, but the move seemed to be hitting a brick wall as other transporters who intend to abide would take a leaf from ZUPCO, shun Mucheke rank and use the CBD as well.
Masvingo City is characterized by long-distance buses loading on undesignated areas in the CBD.
