Residents ban kombis

Chronicle Reporter
RESIDENTS of Cowdray Park’s Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai section have resolved to ban commuter omnibuses from operating in the suburb after they increased fares from R5 to R7 per trip. Yesterday, the residents held a meeting at an open space in Phase 2 and accused the commuter omnibus operators of fleecing them.

“I think we should ban these kombis completely because they are fleecing us. At least if we can get four buses during peak hours in the morning and evening and maybe two in the afternoon, this could be solved.

“We will have our own marshals to monitor pick up points and stop kombis from proceeding beyond the flyover,” said a resident.
The residents condemned the way they were being treated by transport operators.

“The problem is that we have to walk across the stream to get transport to town or other suburbs and the commuter omnibus operators are now charging R6 and R7,” said another resident.

Some suggested that the commuter train that plies the City-Luveve route proceeds to Cowdray Park to ease the situation.

“We are not happy with the way kombi operators are increasing fares. We are now going to talk to Zupco so that we get at least four buses,” said the vice-chairman of Phase 2 Residents Association, Mr Nevison Chigondo.
In response, Ward 28 Councillor Collette Ndhlovu said he had approached authorities over the issue of introducing Zupco buses.

“In terms of the law, these people are registered and we will have to talk to them and the responsible ministry.
“I went to Egodini (Basch Street Terminus) and engaged those responsible to talk to their superiors and I made it clear that if this continues, we would not hesitate to force them out of Cowdray Park,” said Clr Ndhlovu.

Residents also expressed concern about the “slow pace” of development in the area, calling on the council to speed up servicing of the stands.

They said they would not pay the $50 required by the council per month, saying that was excessive.
“We are not refusing to pay but that $50 per month is too much. We would pay at least $5 or $10 because when the Government started this project, it was meant to be for low income earners but now the council wants us to pay that much,” said a resident.
“We want you to speak on our behalf.

You have heard what people have said and we expect you to listen and report to the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Dr Ignatius Chombo and council.”

The residents appealed to council to connect water supplies as a matter of urgency saying they were being forced to walk long distances to get water from Luveve Cemetery.

Clr Ndhlovu said the $50 had been suggested by council engineers after carrying out an assessment of outstanding work but urged residents to pay towards the development of the area.

He said by next week, water would start running in the mains water pipe pending connection to individual houses.
“I have seen that the issue of development is the bone of contention here. We will talk to the Minister when he comes here and you should also be here to express your sentiments, said Clr Ndhlovu.

The Bulawayo Home Seekers Consortium Trust (BHSCT) is the contractor for the project.
In an interview, BHSCT co-ordinator Mr Mkhululi Nyathi who also attended the meeting, reminded residents that the project was self-financing.

“About 1 000 houses have been connected to water supplies in segment 5 and within the next three weeks water will be connected to the remaining segments. People are encouraged to pay whatever they can afford for the project to finance itself,” he said.