Kombi operators threatens to approach Mugabe

Kombi operators yesterday threatened to approach President Robert Mugabe if police remain reluctant to flush out Zanu PF youths demanding rank fees in Harare as the war for control of the lucrative commuter omnibus ranks escalated.
The operators accused police of being reluctant to take action in matters involving the suspected Zanu PF youths, who have taken control of most urban kombi ranks demanding money ranging from $1 to $3 from crews for every trip taken.

The threat to approach Mugabe came after operators with kombis plying the city–Msasa Park route allegedly approached police yesterday morning after a group of youths pounced on their rank at Charge Office and blocked them from ferrying passengers after they refused to pay rank fees to them since Friday last week.

Godfrey Irwa, one of the operators whose trade name is Samuchesa, said they reported to the police early in the morning but no action was taken until late in the afternoon when they returned to Harare Central Police Station and threatened to take the matter up with Mugabe.

"They claim to be Zanu PF supporters and the police are slow in dealing with them, that is why we want to take the matter up to President Mugabe," said Irwa, who led the 12 operators who confronted the police.

"The painful thing is that they just collect money, buy kombis and luxurious cars while we struggle to maintain our fleet."

Harare, according to council estimates, has over 8 000 kombis.

The bouncers who claim to be Zanu PF youths under the guise of Urban Transport Association of Zimbabwe provincial chairperson Fanuel Deera, reportedly collect an average of $5 from every kombi each day.

Although Zanu PF has repeatedly distanced itself from the group, sources claim they work together with the Zanu PF provincial youth leadership and party provincial chairperson Amos Midzi.

One of the drivers at the Msasa Park rank who refused to be named told NewsDay that there was chaos as the Zanu PF youths besieged the rank in the morning and blocked kombis operating at the rank before they brought kombis from other ranks like Kuwadzana, Zengeza and Warren Park to ply the route.

"They demand money from us saying they are Zanu PF youths and that Zanu PF is the party in power and nothing will happen to them, but we have vowed we will not pay. All the chaos was happening in full view of the police who did not act while they block roads and harass kombi crews," he added.

Police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau said they had now engaged all stakeholders to try and get to the bottom of the problem.

"We have met the operators today (yesterday) and we will meet the touts to try and address the problem," Sabau said.

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