Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
THE Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial leadership has distanced itself from the mushrooming of illegal commuter ranks and self-styled marshals operating in the city while masquerading as ruling party activists.
The party said criminal elements are tarnishing its image by abusing its name to extort money from public transport operators and unsuspecting commuters.
Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Cde Archibald Chiponda said the party had been inundated with complaints from residents, kombi crews and transport stakeholders over rogue groups claiming to be acting on behalf of the ruling party.
“We want to make it very clear that Zanu-PF does not run ranks, legal or illegal. The party does not deploy marshals and does not authorise anyone to collect money from transport operators or from members of the public,” said Cde Chiponda.
“These criminals are using the good name of the party to intimidate people and to steal from hard-working transport operators. We completely distance ourselves from such activities.”
Bulawayo has in recent months witnessed the sprouting of illegal pick-up points in the central business district, manned by aggressive touts, who demand so-called “access fees” from drivers and passengers.
Some of the marshals allegedly don regalia resembling that of the ruling party and invoke the names of senior officials to evade arrest, creating the false impression that they enjoy political protection.
Cde Chiponda said such behaviour was unacceptable and undermined efforts by the Government to restore order and sanity in the public transport sector.
“President Mnangagwa’s administration is promoting lawfulness, order and respect for citizens. Anyone who goes around extorting people in the name of Zanu-PF is an enemy of the party and an enemy of the people,” he said.
Cde Chiponda urged police and the Bulawayo City Council to act decisively against the rogue elements that have turned parts of the city into no-go areas.
“As the province, we call upon the police and the city authorities to enforce the law without fear or favour. These bogus marshals must be arrested and illegal ranks must be dismantled. Bulawayo cannot be turned into a jungle,” he said.
Cde Chiponda urged residents and transport operators to report anyone abusing the party’s name for criminal gain.
“Zanu-PF is a people’s party built on discipline and respect. We will not allow thugs to hijack our identity. Communities must work with the police and expose these elements,” he said.
Cde Chiponda said the province would soon roll out an awareness campaign to educate members and the public on the party’s authentic structures and proper channels of engagement to prevent further manipulation.
Transport operators who spoke to Zimpapers yesterday welcomed the party’s intervention, saying they had endured months of harassment.
“If you refuse to pay, they threaten to block your vehicle or damage it. They always say, ‘we are Zanu-PF people, nothing will happen to us’. We are happy that the party has spoken out because we were suffering,” said one kombi owner who declined to be named.
Another driver, Ms Sibusisiwe Dube, said the chaos was also affecting commuters.
“These people are not helping anyone; they are just criminals who are making travelling expensive and unsafe,” she said.
BCC has previously warned that all commuter operations should be confined to designated ranks, with only registered associations permitted to manage loading bays.
Police in the city have conducted intermittent blitzes against touts, but the problem has persisted as the illegal marshals quickly regroup after every operation.
