News / Local
Kombi strike update - Running battles erupt in Bulawayo
09 Mar 2015 at 16:42hrs | Views
Running battles have erupted in Nketa, Nkulumane, Sizinda and eMganwini townships between armed Zimbabwe Republic Police and scores of kombi drivers and touts.
The kombi operators are on an indefinite strike protesting harassments by traffic cops.
Kombi crews are not operating in a development that has affected resident's movements. Several people where late to work today. Private operators have also joined in the strike.
Traffic cops are accused of fleecing the operators as they are demanding 'fines' as high as $20. Drivers are not told their offences.
BUPTA's secretary general, Albert Ncube confirmed that the strike was on-going.
At Nketa 6 Garage, driver Mbuso Malinga said they were now tired of 'working for the police'.
"It's not too much. We are now slaves of the police and it's now a crime to be in business. To strike is the only way to voice our anger," he said.
Riot police had to be called in after some rowdy commuter operators threatened to overturn some private cars which were carrying people.
Efforts to get a comment from the Bulawayo Police Spokesperson, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo were fruitless as he referred this reporter to National Traffic Police Spokesperson, Inspector Tigere Chigome who was said to be in a meeting.
The kombi operators are on an indefinite strike protesting harassments by traffic cops.
Kombi crews are not operating in a development that has affected resident's movements. Several people where late to work today. Private operators have also joined in the strike.
Traffic cops are accused of fleecing the operators as they are demanding 'fines' as high as $20. Drivers are not told their offences.
BUPTA's secretary general, Albert Ncube confirmed that the strike was on-going.
At Nketa 6 Garage, driver Mbuso Malinga said they were now tired of 'working for the police'.
"It's not too much. We are now slaves of the police and it's now a crime to be in business. To strike is the only way to voice our anger," he said.
Riot police had to be called in after some rowdy commuter operators threatened to overturn some private cars which were carrying people.
Efforts to get a comment from the Bulawayo Police Spokesperson, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo were fruitless as he referred this reporter to National Traffic Police Spokesperson, Inspector Tigere Chigome who was said to be in a meeting.
Source - Byo24News
