Bulawayo City Council stops Egodini Terminus construction and declares war on kombi operators and vendors

THE Bulawayo City Council has taken a strong stance against the rampant disregard of by-laws by kombi operators and vendors.

As a result, the local authority has temporarily suspended the construction of Phases 1B and 2 at the Egodini Terminus.

The council said its immediate priority is to address the chaotic situation caused by the reckless behaviour of kombi drivers and vendors, who have been flouting traffic regulations, illegally parking, and obstructing public spaces.

It aims to send a clear message that it will not tolerate lawlessness any longer by halting the construction of Egodini Terminus. Instead, the focus will now be on implementing measures to restore order in the city and ensure that it operates smoothly for residents and visitors alike.

Although Phase 1A of the multi-million dollar project at the Egodini Terminus was completed in February, it has failed to decongest the city centre and restore its urban ambience. Vendors continue to sell their wares in undesignated areas such as pavements, while kombi crews and pirate taxis, mainly Honda Fit vehicles, pose a menace to the public by indiscriminately dropping off and picking up passengers.

In a brief interview, Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, stated that the city council’s decision to halt the construction of the two phases was to bring order to the city centre.

Cllr Coltart said they had also engaged the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to ensure adherence to by-laws that will be enforced relentlessly. This move, he said, is aimed at creating a conducive environment for businesses, reducing traffic congestion, and enhancing the city’s overall image.

“It (Egodini construction) is in a state of limbo pending certain issues being resolved, mainly linked to lawlessness in the city regarding both vendors and taxis. We have asked for assistance from the ZRP to address some of the issues,” said Cllr Coltart.

The Egodini project contractor, Terracotta Trading of South Africa, told our sister publication, Sunday News, earlier this year that it had submitted new plans to the council for expanding the taxi rank due to the growing number of kombis in the area.

There is also an initiative by the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and the council to convert part of the railway station’s parking area into a designated space for cross-border buses. This collaboration aims to mitigate traffic congestion and illegal activities that are plaguing the city centre due to buses picking up and dropping off passengers in unauthorised areas.

The underutilised parking area at the railway station offers amenities such as toilets, running water, and waiting areas for travellers, making it an ideal location for a proposed terminal hub.

The hub will provide travel services to and from various locations, including the Bulawayo-Harare route, Bulawayo-Masvingo, Bulawayo-Beitbridge, and Bulawayo-Victoria Falls, as well as routes to Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Mozambique. Additionally, smaller portions would be reserved for metered taxis.

According to a joint site inspection conducted by the council and NRZ officials, there are several vacant buildings and open spaces within the station area that could easily be converted into informal trading spaces. The total area that could be re-designated currently stands at about 19,2 hectares.

In July, the council advertised for almost 300 security officers’ jobs to tackle by-law violators within the city’s jurisdiction. Some of the offenders were using political connections to evade justice. With this new development, it is hoped that the city centre will be safer and more orderly.