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Bulawayo Councillors Decry Lawlessness Among Public Transport Operators
3 hrs ago |
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Bulawayo City councillors have voiced serious concerns over escalating lawlessness in the central business district (CBD), blaming public transport operators for rising road accidents and disregard for traffic regulations.
According to the July 2025 Traffic Control and Safety Committee minutes, councillors lamented the poor enforcement of the city's Public Transport Policy, adopted five years ago to streamline operations and improve commuter safety. The policy had grouped Commuter Omnibus operators into associations, which later evolved into five formal companies.
"Council was concerned about road traffic accidents in the City involving Commuter Omnibuses. These accidents were increasing daily and residents' lives had continued to be lost," the minutes read.
Councillors cited violations such as haulage trucks entering the CBD despite a by-law prohibiting vehicles over 9 tonnes, and cross-border buses illegally picking up passengers along 6th Avenue. An illegal truck stop along G. Silundika Street was also flagged.
Commuter Omnibus drivers were described as increasingly rude and negligent, with poor customer care and reckless driving. One incident involved a Tshova Mubaiwa vehicle (Fleet Number 610B) obstructing traffic on Pumula Road, nearly causing a head-on collision.
Councillor Shepherd Sithole called for urgent interventions to curb road carnage, especially along Luveve Road's accident-prone zones like the Flyover, Rio turnoff, D Square, and Emagetsini. He proposed speed humps and stricter enforcement.
Meanwhile, Councillor Melisa Mabeza commended improvements in traffic and public lighting, noting that better illumination in the CBD could help reduce nighttime accidents.
According to the July 2025 Traffic Control and Safety Committee minutes, councillors lamented the poor enforcement of the city's Public Transport Policy, adopted five years ago to streamline operations and improve commuter safety. The policy had grouped Commuter Omnibus operators into associations, which later evolved into five formal companies.
"Council was concerned about road traffic accidents in the City involving Commuter Omnibuses. These accidents were increasing daily and residents' lives had continued to be lost," the minutes read.
Councillors cited violations such as haulage trucks entering the CBD despite a by-law prohibiting vehicles over 9 tonnes, and cross-border buses illegally picking up passengers along 6th Avenue. An illegal truck stop along G. Silundika Street was also flagged.
Commuter Omnibus drivers were described as increasingly rude and negligent, with poor customer care and reckless driving. One incident involved a Tshova Mubaiwa vehicle (Fleet Number 610B) obstructing traffic on Pumula Road, nearly causing a head-on collision.
Councillor Shepherd Sithole called for urgent interventions to curb road carnage, especially along Luveve Road's accident-prone zones like the Flyover, Rio turnoff, D Square, and Emagetsini. He proposed speed humps and stricter enforcement.
Meanwhile, Councillor Melisa Mabeza commended improvements in traffic and public lighting, noting that better illumination in the CBD could help reduce nighttime accidents.
Source - Byo24News
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