Online Reporter
THE Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial leadership has distanced itself from the mushrooming of illegal commuter ranks and self-styled marshals operating in the city.
The party said criminal elements are tarnishing its image by abusing its name to extort money from public transport operators and unsuspecting commuters.
The party’s provincial spokesperson Cde Archibald Chiponda said the party had been inundated by complaints from residents, kombi crews and transport operators who are being fleeced by rogue elements claiming to be acting on behalf of the ruling party.
“We want to make it very clear that Zanu-PF does not run ranks, legal or illegal. The party has not deployed marshals or authorised anyone to collect money from transport operators or members of the public,” said Cde Chiponda.
He said the rogue elements were using the good name of the party to steal from hard-working transport operators.
Cde Chiponda said the party had nothing to do with what is happening at the commuter ranks. Some of the marshals wear the ruling party regalia and purport to be acting on behalf of senior members of the party, thereby creating a false impression that they enjoy political protection.
Cde Chiponda said such conduct and behaviour was unacceptable as it undermines efforts by the Government to restore sanity and order in the public transport sector.
‘‘President Mnangagwa’s administration is promoting lawfulness, order and respect for citizens’ rights. Anyone who goes around extorting money from citizens in the name of Zanu-PF is an enemy of the party and an enemy of the people,” said Cde Chiponda.
Last year President Mnangagwa said corruption and acts of indiscipline that risk alienating Zanu-PF and the Government from the people will not be tolerated. He said such conduct undermined public trust and national development.
President Mnangagwa who was addressing a Politburo meeting, said those who tarnish the image of the party and Government will be decisively dealt with.
“Integrity, discipline and unity, concern for the people and clean governance must be synonymous with Zanu-PF. Winning the hearts and minds of our people remains a critical role of every cadre and structure of the party,” he said.
We want to commend the Zanu-PF leadership in Bulawayo for moving in to address the problem of rogue elements masquerading as party cadres in order to extort money from transport operators.
What is happening at the commuter ranks, as President Mnangagwa said, risk alienating Zanu-PF and the Government from the people and should therefore be nipped in the bud. We want to implore the party leadership in Bulawayo to move a step further and cause the arrest of these rogue elements.
