Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
Legislators have called for the formalisation of touts as part of curbing escalating crime and gender-based violence at the nation’s bus termini.
This proposed system would involve the registration of touts, along with the introduction of uniforms and the establishment of rank committees.
The proposal, which was raised during a National Assembly session on Wednesday, comes after a recent incident in which a 13-year-old girl was reportedly raped at Rezende Parkade rank.
ZANU-PF Women’s Quota representative, Cde Getrude Mutandi, called for immediate action to curb the “menace”, adding that bus ranks have become major hotspots for the abuse of women and girls.
“Mr Speaker Sir, I rise on a matter of urgent national concern on the escalating lawlessness at urban and intercity bus ranks, which has become a breeding ground for criminality and gender-based violence, particularly targeting women, girls and the elderly,” Cde Mutandi said.
“Sites like Mbare, Roadport, Showground, Dangamvura and Old Renkin have descended into chaos, with touts overtaking local authority control, enforcing illegal levies and fostering environments of drug abuse and violence. Tragically, this breakdown has led to horrific crimes.”
Cde Mutandi proposed formalising touts as a way of putting an end to the menace.
“This is growing into a crisis,” Cde Mutandi said. “The absence of law enforcement has turned bus ranks into zones of terror. Women and girls are no longer safe.
“Efforts to curb tout activity remain inconsistent and ineffective. I therefore propose: immediate enforcement of criminal laws and municipal by-laws to restore order and protect passengers and formalisation of tout roles through registration, uniforms and a rank committee to ensure accountability.”
She also called for an enhanced police presence at major bus termini and the installation of cameras to deter violence and safeguard commuters.
Online Reporter
This will be a welcome and long-overdue development. It will go a long way in curbing the harassment of innocent commuters — especially women — at bus and commuter omnibus ranks, where offensive words and conduct are often hurled at them. I pray that this be effective immediately. All of them should be registered and assigned unique, easily identifiable codes or numbers that can be recorded in cases of misconduct. Anyone who fails to display such identification should face detention without trial.