News / National
Bulawayo kombi associations cry foul over police crackdown
19 hrs ago | Views
Some commuter omnibus (kombi) associations in Bulawayo have raised alarm over a police crackdown on illegal operators, alleging it is a strategy to coerce them into joining rival associations.
The Bulawayo United Public Transport Association (BUPTA) West chief executive, Constance Sayi, expressed concern that the ongoing operation was unfairly targeting their members and disrupting their services.
"As the Original BUPTA West operators, the operation is designed to force our members to join other bogus associations. Police and city council officials are abusing their authority to support these illegitimate groups," Sayi told NewsDay.
Sayi further alleged that police and council authorities illegally hired rival associations to evict their vehicles from Egodini rank, introducing what she described as a "fake policy" of route sharing for Bulawayo transporters.
"This has created chaos in the city, with more than 300 kombis now operating unlawfully in both the eastern and western suburbs under the protection of these bogus associations, such as BUPTA Limited," Sayi added.
While BUPTA West has raised concerns, other associations like Tshova Mubaiwa appear unaffected. Tshova Mubaiwa spokesperson Atlas Moyo said their operations were running smoothly.
"If you go to the rank at TM Hyper now, you will find the kombis there, and they are transporting. There is no issue, absolutely," Moyo stated.
Bulawayo acting provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, defended the ongoing operation, stating that it targets illegal operators who are not complying with transport regulations.
"We are targeting transporters who are not complying with regulations, including those operating without number plates and those who are not registered public transporters," Msebele said.
The crackdown is part of a broader initiative aimed at restoring order in urban areas, but the allegations of favoritism and abuse of authority have sparked debates about fairness and the enforcement of regulations.
The clash between kombi associations highlights growing tensions in Bulawayo's public transport sector, as operators accuse authorities of undermining lawful associations in favor of unregulated ones.
As the crackdown continues, questions remain about how the authorities will ensure transparency and fairness while addressing illegal operations without destabilizing the sector further.
The Bulawayo United Public Transport Association (BUPTA) West chief executive, Constance Sayi, expressed concern that the ongoing operation was unfairly targeting their members and disrupting their services.
"As the Original BUPTA West operators, the operation is designed to force our members to join other bogus associations. Police and city council officials are abusing their authority to support these illegitimate groups," Sayi told NewsDay.
Sayi further alleged that police and council authorities illegally hired rival associations to evict their vehicles from Egodini rank, introducing what she described as a "fake policy" of route sharing for Bulawayo transporters.
"This has created chaos in the city, with more than 300 kombis now operating unlawfully in both the eastern and western suburbs under the protection of these bogus associations, such as BUPTA Limited," Sayi added.
While BUPTA West has raised concerns, other associations like Tshova Mubaiwa appear unaffected. Tshova Mubaiwa spokesperson Atlas Moyo said their operations were running smoothly.
Bulawayo acting provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, defended the ongoing operation, stating that it targets illegal operators who are not complying with transport regulations.
"We are targeting transporters who are not complying with regulations, including those operating without number plates and those who are not registered public transporters," Msebele said.
The crackdown is part of a broader initiative aimed at restoring order in urban areas, but the allegations of favoritism and abuse of authority have sparked debates about fairness and the enforcement of regulations.
The clash between kombi associations highlights growing tensions in Bulawayo's public transport sector, as operators accuse authorities of undermining lawful associations in favor of unregulated ones.
As the crackdown continues, questions remain about how the authorities will ensure transparency and fairness while addressing illegal operations without destabilizing the sector further.
Source - newsday
