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Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
COMMUTER omnibus operators in Harare are embroiled in a bitter feud with unlicenced individuals known as “space barons” who are extorting money from them at city ranks.
The operators claim these individuals who operate outside the law are exploiting a regulatory vacuum, pushing up transport costs and threatening the stability of the public transport sector.
“We are being forced to pay twice for something we should not be paying for,” lamented Mr Ngoni Katsvairo, secretary-general of the Greater Harare Association of Commuter Omnibus Operators (GHACO).
“These space barons, who are not even the owners of the rank, are collecting money from our companies despite us already paying all the necessary fees to the Government and the council.
“Those who pay rent these places and pay rentals to council must contribute to the development of the ranks, not these individuals who do nothing but collect money.
“We demand that the council take responsibility and remove these space barons who are making our work harder.”
Mr Frederick Maguramhinga, president of the Zimbabwe United Deregulated Commuter Operators (ZUDCO) said they no longer have control over their vehicles.
“Touts are controlling everything, including the fares, which are rising arbitrarily and it is costing us dearly. When it rains, they double the fare, and we cannot even stop it because they have the power on the ground.”
Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) national coordinator Mr Tafadzwa Goliati said their activities were corrupt, exploitative and lawless.
“The authorities must take action and dismantle these networks. They are harming both operators and passengers alike.”
The presence of space barons has created a chaotic and exploitative environment at Harare’s ranks, despite the city council’s mandate to oversee their operation.
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