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The commuter omnibus drivers who use Luveve Road divert into Makokoba to avoid a police roadblock near McKeurtan Primary School.
On Sunday, riot police had to be called to intervene after residents reportedly blocked the road and smashed the windscreen of one of the commuter omnibuses.
Last week one of the commuter omnibus drivers reportedly hit a child along 1st Street and fled.
The incident angered the residents who teamed up and resolved to block the kombis from passing through their area.
When Chronicle visited the suburb yesterday morning the residents had put big stones across the streets to block kombis from driving past.
In separate interviews the residents said they did not want to see any commuter omnibus passing through the suburb anymore. They said kombi crews were a disrespectful lot and accused them of endangering the lives of their children.
“We have resolved to stop kombis from driving past this place. This is not their route and they must stop it,” fumed a woman who identified herself as Mrs Cynthia Malaba.
“Sibihlungu kakhulu ngalinto (we are very bitter about this) and we cannot let them kill our children. Last week they hit a child here and ran away. Lucky enough the child survived.”
The residents said there was drama on Sunday afternoon as they almost manhandled commuter omnibus drivers who tried to defy their “authority”.
“There was drama yesterday as residents teamed up and blocked 2nd Street, which kombis use to join Falls Road. The riot police had to intervene as residents threatened to beat up the crews,” said another resident who witnessed the incident.
The residents said the police advised them not to take the law into their own hands but to report the matter at Mzilikazi Police Station. Others complained that the commuter omnibuses would be speeding and making a lot of noise.
“The kombis should respect the police and just drive to Egodini than coming here. If they continue doing that we will fight back,” said a woman who identified herself as NaRay.
“We have children who play on the streets and now they cannot cross the roads because of kombis. Thina siyizone 14 and sizabatshaya nxa bedelela (We are zone 14 and we will beat them if they are rude).”
Mr Mlamuli Sibanda who said he took part in blocking the kombis said: “The kombis do not have order and that is why we are blocking them. Their problem is speeding yet we have children who spend much time on the road playing. We do not have problems with private cars.”
There were also reports that some residents were cashing in on the situation by demanding bribes from kombi drivers before letting them pass through.
Meanwhile, there was commotion at the corner of 3rd Avenue Extension and Main Street when commuters reportedly refused to board kombis in protest at what they called poor customer care.
Contacted for comment acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu confirmed the incident and condemned the reckless driving by kombi drivers.
“A majority of young drivers are very irresponsible such that they do not value human life. We have consistently said that, especially looking at how they get into the road to flee whenever they see a police vehicle,” said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
“Now they are diverting routes to residential places and they drive at high speed not worried about children and other road users.
“We received a report of malicious damage to property where a group of residents blocked the road and smashed the windscreen of a kombi.”
Asst Insp Ndlovu said while the police appreciate the residents’ concerns over reckless driving by kombi crews, they should not take the law into their own hands.
He urged transport operators to act as responsible citizens and stand up against any recklessness by their workers.
Online Reporter