SOME kombi associations in Bulawayo have raised concern over a police crackdown against illegal commuter omnibus operators claiming that it was a ploy to force them to join rival associations.
Bulawayo United Public Transport Association (BUPTA) West chief executive Constance Sayi told NewsDay that the on-going operation was affecting them as the original BUPTA operators.
Police recently launched a blitz against illegal public transport operators targeting several transporters in urban areas.
“As the Original BUPTA West operators, the operation is designed to force our members to join other bogus like association. The other reason why we are failing to serve our jurisdiction is that police and city council are abusing the authority of their offices,” Sayi said.
“They illegally hired the bogus associations to evict our vehicles from Egodini rank and forged a fake policy of route sharing for Bulawayo transporters. This is done to support the criminals who are against the rule of law.”
Sayi said more than 300 kombis operated in both in eastern and western suburbs, adding that the police were allowing bogus associations such as BUPTA Limited to operate resulting in chaos in the city.
However, Tshova Mubaiwa spokesperson Atlas Moyo said their association was operating smoothly.
“If you go to the rank at TM Hyper now, you will find the kombis there and they are transporting. There is not an issue absolutely,”Moyo said.
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Bulawayo acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed that the ongoing crackdown was targeting illegal transport operators.
“We are targeting transporters who are not complying with regulations, without number plates and also those who are not part of public transporters,” she said.
