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Gibson Mhaka
IF there is one sector of the economy facing much public criticism, it is the public transport sector, particularly kombi operators.
They are accused of a range of issues, including poor customer service, ignoring designated bus stops, overloading passengers, flouting traffic laws, evading police and contributing to road fatalities.
Additionally, concerns exist regarding the road-worthiness of their vehicles and the validity of their permits. While kombi drivers shoulder much of the blame for these issues, accusations allege tacit approval from their employers.
This suggests that kombi owners may be the root cause, as their implicit backing emboldens these problematic behaviours. Given this situation, which is a recipe for disaster, what meaningful contribution can kombi owners make to the community?
However, a newly registered transport company in Bulawayo, the United Bulawayo Taxi Owners Association (UBTOA), has seemingly defied expectations by taking an initiative that has transformed them from being villains into community heroes.
The 28-member transport company, registered in line with the Bulawayo City Council’s (BCC) public transport policy, donated asbestos roofing sheets, trusses and cement on Tuesday to a Bulawayo family in Nkulumane 5 whose house was gutted by fire on 13 June this year.
The affected family was left with nothing after all its belongings were burnt to ashes. Speaking during the handover ceremony, a member of UBTOA, Godwill Mlotshwa said the organisation was committed to assisting needy families by giving back to the community.
“As the United Bulawayo Taxi Owners Association, we were deeply saddened to learn about the house fire that struck a family in Nkulumane 5, on 13 June. We visited the family and it was a total disaster as the house, furniture, clothing, food, blankets, beds and virtually everything was burnt to ashes. As a community-oriented organisation, we felt compelled to help.
“We mobilised donations from our members and were able to provide building materials, including asbestos roofing sheets, trusses and cement. Furthermore, UBTOA is committed to supporting the rebuilding process by covering the labour costs for the repairs. We believe that giving back to the community we serve is not only important but aligns perfectly with our values,” said Mlotshwa.
He said the donation also serves to dispel myths surrounding kombi operators.
“We want to demonstrate that UBTOA is committed to making a meaningful contribution to the community we serve,” he said.
He said as an organisation, they had also set up a route accident fund that assists in compensating accident victims.
“UBTOA is also proud to have established a route accident fund. This fund serves to assist victims of accidents involving our taxis, helping to alleviate some of the financial burdens they face during a difficult time. We believe that taking responsibility for the safety of our passengers extends beyond prevention to providing support in the unfortunate event of an accident.”
He added: “We understand the concerns regarding kombi drivers and allegations of poor customer service, ignoring designated bus stops, overloading, flouting traffic laws, evading police and contributing to road fatalities. UBTOA is committed to addressing these issues.
“We plan to conduct workshops specifically designed to educate drivers on the importance of treating customers with respect and adhering to all traffic regulations.
“In many cases, we believe these behaviours stem from a lack of awareness. Through these workshops and awareness campaigns, we aim to equip our drivers with the knowledge and tools they need to provide safe and professional service to the community.”
The owner of the house, Dorcas Moyo (46) expressed gratitude for the gesture.
“It happened around 10am on that day. I left the house, locked all the doors and headed to the market, as I’m a vendor. On the way, I received a call from my neighbour telling me to come back because my house was on fire.
“When I arrived, I found neighbours gathered around, trying to put out the flames. Since the fire was raging out of control, they waited for the fire brigade. Unfortunately, everything burned to ashes.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the residents who have been helping me with food and clothes. Especially to the United Bulawayo Taxi Owners Association, which donated asbestos roofing sheets, trusses and cement. They even pledged to cover the labour costs. I am incredibly grateful for their support. This truly shows how much they care about us residents,” she said.
Ward 20 Councillor, Sandra-Ndebele Sibindi said the association did a commendable job by assisting the family in their time of need.
“It’s a commendable act by the United Bulawayo Taxi Owners Association. I wish we had more people like them in our communities, ready to help each other whenever a resident faces challenges like the family whose house was gutted by fire. We hope more people and businesses can emulate what the association has done,” she said.
Online Reporter