Councillors slam inaction over bus terminus revival

Frustration is mounting among Masvingo city councillors over the local authority's continued failure to renovate and revive Mucheke Bus Terminus, despite multiple resolutions aimed at restoring order and revenue in the city's transport system.

During a full council meeting held at the Town House on May 27, Ward 10 Councillor Sengerayi Manyanga criticised the city's inaction, describing the situation as a symbol of poor urban management.

"We should go and learn from Murambinda Growth Point. I was there recently and their bus rank is well-structured. Meanwhile, here in Masvingo, we are failing to manage our small city. Buses are picking passengers all over town while we sit in here passing resolutions with no real action," Manyanga lamented.

Councillor Esnath Zishiri echoed the sentiment, urging council to take internal steps to refurbish the rank rather than waiting for external contractors.

"I doubt the toilets there are even functional. Why don't we assign our own workforce to refurbish the toilets, do some painting, re-mark the lines, and carry out general repairs? Forcing bus operators back to the terminus without fully restoring it will only be a short-term fix," Zishiri argued.

Ward 1 Councillor Sabina Chikwangwani, under whose jurisdiction Mucheke Rank falls, assured the council that the basic infrastructure was still usable.

"The toilets are functional and water is available. Only minor touch-ups are needed. If that's the main issue, then restoring the terminus shouldn't be a major challenge," she said.

Despite these assurances and repeated commitments by council, Mucheke Rank remains idle and neglected. Long-distance buses continue to operate from illegal pick-up points within the Central Business District (CBD), particularly around the Old Croco Motors area. This practice has disrupted urban order and deprived the city of much-needed revenue from rank fees.

In 2022, the Mucheke Bus Terminus was included in the city's investment promotion plans during budget consultations. It was identified as a potential revenue stream, and council resolved to relocate all buses to the site through a build-operate-transfer (BOT) arrangement modeled after a similar plan in Gweru. However, no progress has been made since.

The informal ranks currently used lack basic infrastructure such as ablution facilities and running water, raising public health concerns. Passengers have resorted to using alleys and sanitary lanes, turning parts of the city into health hazards.

In previous council meetings, it had been resolved that a boom gate would be installed at the Old Croco Motors site to generate revenue to fund renovations at Mucheke. That plan, like many others, remains unimplemented.

Councillors expressed concern that while other local authorities such as Zaka Rural District Council have successfully relocated all public transport to designated terminuses, Masvingo continues to struggle with indecision and lack of follow-through.

Mucheke Rank, once a bustling hub for buses heading to Harare, Bulawayo, and the eastern regions, was abandoned over a decade ago. Buses now use scattered and unregulated locations, with those heading east operating from the Metro Peach Downtown rank.

As public frustration grows and health and safety concerns mount, residents and councillors alike are demanding immediate action to restore order and accountability in Masvingo's public transport system.