adminIn a statement, the employers’ body said it was happy that the blitz by the police on touts had brought order to termini in Harare allowing commuters to board omnibuses in peace.
“The bus termini, ranks and all the illegally created ‘picking points’ for commuters have been characterised by wailing, shouting and touting from the touts in the pretext of helping commuters, in a calculated agenda to cause confusion, thus opening avenues for theft from commuters and bus/kombi owners alike.
“All law-abiding citizens are happy with the prevailing orderly environment at terminuses within Harare after the police and army facilitated restoring of order,” Emcoz said in a statement.
It said following the restoration of order at commuter ranks and policing of the facilities by the Harare City Council, revenue inflows to council would increase.
Emcoz said the manning of termini by council personnel provided an opportunity for an untapped cash cow for struggling authorities.
“This most welcome development has been overdue, and EMCOZ calls for its adoption by all cities and towns to result in dignified commuting, safe journeys and professionalised transport business.”
Touts, also known as mandimandima, had taken over ranks in Harare and were extorting cash from kombi crews.
After the clampdown, hundreds of touts were arrested.
Touts are a major feature at most commuter termini in the country, including Bulawayo.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter