Online Reporter
By Arron Nyamayaro
Commuters are increasingly alarmed by the transformation of several bus ranks into hotspots for drug activity.
The unpleasant odours emanating from the Charge Office, Market Square, Copacabana, and Simon Muzenda terminuses have forced many to seek alternative pickup points.
Reports suggest that numerous vendors operating around these terminuses are allegedly selling illicit drugs and alcohol.
While some vendors claim to sell traditional herbal remedies, the presence of harmful substances raises serious public health concerns.
Judith Mugwendere, a 45-year-old herbalist at the Charge Office rank, asserts that she possesses a license from ZINATHA, allowing her to sell various items, including sex enhancers.
However, her stall is also stocked with traditional snuff and bottles of questionable substances.
“I am a registered herbalist under ZINATHA, which permits me to sell these items. Police used to arrest us until I showed them my license,” Judith explained.Another vendor noted that a previous seller of illicit drugs had been removed from the market, but the broader issue remains.
“If city officials were to eliminate the vendors causing these unhygienic conditions, it would be a significant step toward dismantling drug bases,” one commuter stated.
Reports indicate that drug users often congregate at these ranks, creating a disturbing atmosphere. Many commuters, seeking to avoid confrontations with intoxicated individuals, now board kombis along Julius Nyerere Way instead of using the designated ranks.
“For health reasons, we urge police commanders to clean up these areas, which tarnish the image of the refurbished Police Station,” said one frustrated commuter.
At Copacabana, a former ticket-selling room has allegedly been repurposed as a drug base, contributing to the disruptive behaviour of touts and conductors. Similar issues persist at Simon Muzenda and Market Square, where commuters are calling for urgent action to reclaim these vital transport hubs.
The disarray at these ranks has led to unauthorized kombi pickup points along major roads, further complicating the transportation landscape.
Cleaning up these areas could not only restore order but also deter the distribution and possession of dangerous drugs. Rank marshal Solomon Mandela, stationed at Charge Office, acknowledged the drug issues while emphasizing the need for improved public transport infrastructure.
He noted, “The ranks are too small to accommodate the volume of public transport we require.
“City officials must create more space and regulate transport operators effectively.”
Mandela also highlighted the risks commuters face when they abandon the established ranks in favour of unregulated pickup points, where they are vulnerable to robbery and other dangers. “It seems that those enforcing the rules are allowing illegal operators to pick up passengers without consequence,” he added.
In response to rising concerns, police have initiated awareness campaigns aimed at combating drug abuse, sexual and gender-based violence, and promoting wellness in the CBD.
The path forward requires a collaborative effort from city officials, law enforcement, and the community to restore safety and hygiene in these crucial public spaces.
Mathew Masinge