Transport body condemns bus driver caught using phone

The Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation (ZPTO) has strongly condemned a Stallion Cruise bus driver who was captured on video using a mobile phone while driving, calling for immediate prosecution and tighter enforcement of road safety regulations.

The incident, which circulated widely on social media, shows the driver allegedly watching content on his phone while transporting passengers - a behaviour transport operators say puts lives at serious risk.

Speaking during a road safety and drug awareness campaign at Mbare Musika, ZPTO vice-chairperson Charles Mukumba said such conduct was "evil" and unacceptable in public transport operations.

"As transport operators, we strongly condemn drivers who use cellphones while driving," Mukumba said. "Such cases must be taken to court. Drivers must respect the sanctity of life, be focused and avoid distraction."

The remarks were made during a joint awareness programme led by Chief Superintendent Runwell Chipfurutse, the Officer Commanding Mbare District, targeting road safety, substance abuse, and criminal activity linked to public transport corridors.

Authorities urged commuters to actively report drivers and conductors engaging in illegal or dangerous behaviour, including drug trafficking and intoxicated driving.

"We are urging travellers to report any driver or conductor who would have received money to transport illicit drugs," Supt Chipfurutse said.

He added that passengers should immediately alert police if they suspect a driver is under the influence of alcohol or other substances.

Beyond safety concerns, commuters also raised complaints about poor conditions at transport ranks, particularly the charging of fees for public toilet access by marshals at Mbare Musika - one of Harare's busiest transport hubs.

One traveller described the practice as exploitative and called for urgent police intervention.

"We would like to express our dismay over some rank marshals who are charging us money to use public toilets. This is inhumane and greed," the commuter said.

The incident adds to mounting scrutiny of Zimbabwe's commuter and long-distance transport sector, where safety violations, overloading, and poor regulation enforcement remain recurring concerns.

Transport operators say while most drivers comply with regulations, isolated cases of negligence and misconduct continue to damage the industry's reputation and endanger passengers.

Authorities have pledged to intensify monitoring efforts at major ranks such as Mbare Musika, where thousands of commuters pass through daily, and where enforcement challenges are often most visible.

As investigations into the video incident continue, stakeholders are calling for stronger accountability measures to ensure public transport safety standards are upheld.