News / Local
Zebra Kiss bus crew abducts, assaults cross-border trader
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A cross-border trader was abducted, assaulted, and humiliated by a Zebra Kiss bus crew in a harrowing case of mistaken identity that has left the woman physically and emotionally scarred.
Charlotte Dube, who had boarded a Zebra Kiss bus in Zambia en route to Zimbabwe, was accused by crew members of stealing a parcel from another passenger. Despite her pleas of innocence, Dube was ordered to remain on the bus by a conductor only identified as Pardy, and was later driven to the company's garage in Ardbennie, Harare, where she was allegedly tortured for hours.
According to Dube, five men — named as Marvin, Munashe, Kuda, Roma, and a man who called himself Baba Keketso — took turns to beat her with wooden planks, inflicting injuries to her hands, back, and buttocks.
"Their conductor Pardy engaged five of their staff members who took turns to beat me," said Dube. "They even confiscated my goods and gave them to the passenger who falsely claimed her parcel was stolen."
Shockingly, the passenger who initially made the claim later contacted the crew to inform them that the parcel had not been stolen after all. Zebra Kiss manager Kudakwashe Mupfukirei later apologised to Dube for the ordeal.
Despite initially denying knowledge of the incident, messages obtained by H-Metro show Mupfukirei communicating with Dube's husband, asking for the matter to be resolved amicably and offering US$300 compensation in return for the withdrawal of the police report.
"I have been relying on Zebra Kiss for all my cross-border trips," said a devastated Dube. "But this time, they destroyed my trust. This has affected me physically, emotionally, and financially. Some passengers even took photos of me during the ordeal and circulated them on social media, branding me a thief. My reputation, family and business have all suffered."
The incident has sparked outrage online, with many calling for accountability and justice.
Efforts to reach Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza were unsuccessful yesterday. However, H-Metro has confirmed that the matter was reported at Mbare Stodart Police Station under RRB 6362618.
The public is now demanding answers from Zebra Kiss and the Ministry of Transport, with calls growing for an independent investigation and for the perpetrators to face prosecution.
As the nation grapples with the implications of such lawlessness by transport staff, human rights groups have condemned the attack and urged immediate reforms in public transport conduct and accountability.
Charlotte Dube, who had boarded a Zebra Kiss bus in Zambia en route to Zimbabwe, was accused by crew members of stealing a parcel from another passenger. Despite her pleas of innocence, Dube was ordered to remain on the bus by a conductor only identified as Pardy, and was later driven to the company's garage in Ardbennie, Harare, where she was allegedly tortured for hours.
According to Dube, five men — named as Marvin, Munashe, Kuda, Roma, and a man who called himself Baba Keketso — took turns to beat her with wooden planks, inflicting injuries to her hands, back, and buttocks.
"Their conductor Pardy engaged five of their staff members who took turns to beat me," said Dube. "They even confiscated my goods and gave them to the passenger who falsely claimed her parcel was stolen."
Shockingly, the passenger who initially made the claim later contacted the crew to inform them that the parcel had not been stolen after all. Zebra Kiss manager Kudakwashe Mupfukirei later apologised to Dube for the ordeal.
"I have been relying on Zebra Kiss for all my cross-border trips," said a devastated Dube. "But this time, they destroyed my trust. This has affected me physically, emotionally, and financially. Some passengers even took photos of me during the ordeal and circulated them on social media, branding me a thief. My reputation, family and business have all suffered."
The incident has sparked outrage online, with many calling for accountability and justice.
Efforts to reach Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza were unsuccessful yesterday. However, H-Metro has confirmed that the matter was reported at Mbare Stodart Police Station under RRB 6362618.
The public is now demanding answers from Zebra Kiss and the Ministry of Transport, with calls growing for an independent investigation and for the perpetrators to face prosecution.
As the nation grapples with the implications of such lawlessness by transport staff, human rights groups have condemned the attack and urged immediate reforms in public transport conduct and accountability.
Source - H-Metro
