Bulawayo menace of undesignated pick-up and drop-off points rapped
Story by Grace Sibanda
ILLEGAL drop-off and pick-up points in the Bulawayo city centre have become a huge menace to the motoring public as they are causing congestion.
Touts and kombi drivers in the city have become a law unto themselves as they pick and drop off passengers at undesignated areas, putting passengers and other drivers at risk of accidents.
This unruly behaviour has been compounded by drivers and passengers who use mobile phones while on the roads.
When asked why they were partaking in illegal touting, drivers pointed to the closure of Egodini Rank.
“We know it’s illegal to be here, but we would appreciate it if the city council would provide us a lasting solution to this challenge because we need to also make money,” said one of the drivers.
Another added, “The council arrests us here, but they haven’t given alternatives for us to tout. The parts that are designated are not enough as cars are now many. The Egodini area has been left unattended for a long time and the part that is set to be opened will not be enough for us. We need the city council to make a plan for us, but we do realise what we are doing is illegal.”
Speaking to the ZBC News crew, Bulawayo Provincial acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele implored public transporters to use designated areas to avoid unnecessary loss of life and accidents.
“We have recorded lots of cases where cars have been impounded due to people parking in the wrong places. Illegal parking areas are a danger to not only cars but also cause unnecessary loss of life. We have also noted that motorists and pedestrian use their phones a lot and this leads to loss of life and lots of accidents, especially during the festive season. We as police are on high alert for people who do not follow the rules of the road,” said the Assistant Inspector.
The development comes at a time the Bulawayo city fathers have promised to open the Egodini Rank to decongest the city.
