Coltart courts police to enforce city laws

Bulawayo Mayor, David Coltart, has called on law enforcement agencies in the city to step up efforts in enforcing local bylaws, particularly concerning the illegal operations of pirate taxis in undesignated areas.

In an interview with Southern Eye yesterday, Coltart expressed concerns over the growing presence of pirate taxis around the city, which he argued were undermining the operations at Egodini terminus, the main transport hub in Bulawayo. He pointed out that the disregard for the law was not only creating chaos in the city but also contributing to the collapse of businesses.

"The failure to ensure that our laws are respected and enforced has led to a breakdown of law and order in the city. That, in turn, has caused a lot of businesses to collapse, with widespread ramifications for the city," Coltart said.

The mayor emphasized that pirate taxis operating in undesignated areas were causing severe congestion and disrupting the flow of legal taxi services. "Pirate taxis have been causing congestion and stiff competition for those operating from designated areas, hence forcing them to lose some of their passengers," Coltart explained.

Coltart called for the police to take action against individuals who break the law, as the enforcement of bylaws is crucial to fostering order and supporting the city's development. "We need law enforcement agents to enforce the law so that those who abide by it do not suffer because of the offenders, as this will discourage citizens from abiding by it," he added.

In support of the mayor's statements, Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association chairperson Stephen Nkomo voiced the concerns of residents over the presence of pirate taxis in the city. Nkomo stressed that the illegal taxis along 6th Avenue were not only causing congestion but were also endangering public safety by obstructing the free movement of pedestrians and vehicles.

"We have Egodini terminus, but we are unhappy about the existence of pirate taxis along 6th Avenue. They are causing congestion and blocking the free movement of pedestrians and vehicles, hence putting our lives at risk," Nkomo said.

He also indicated that residents were planning to engage the city council to find a lasting solution to the ongoing issue. "We will engage the council to address this crisis," Nkomo concluded.

As the city grapples with these challenges, the call for law enforcement to step in has become more urgent, with both officials and residents advocating for a more organized and safer transport system in Bulawayo.