The Chronicle
Peter Matika
CALL it lawlessness or chaos. This is what several long-distance bus operators plying intercity routes are turning Bulawayo city centre into.
For sometime, there has been rampant illegal picking of passengers at undesignated points by long-distance bus crews, particularly, along Bulawayo-Harare Road, Leopold Takawira Extension opposite Centenary Park, and along Bulawayo-Plumtree Road at John Love Motors.
Of late Chronicle has witnessed that some of the buses are now ranking at undesignated places right in the middle of the CBD at places such as Tredgold, around TM Hyper Supermarket area, outside Chicken Inn along Jason Moyo and 8th Avenue, near Chicken Slice along 9th Avenue and Fort Street.
From loading in undesignated places along certain streets in town, the operators have now literally invaded the city centre nightlife as they continue to spread to illegal pick-up and dropping-off points, mainly adjacent to fast-food outlets.
These places are increasingly being associated with more illegal activity ranging from touting, alcohol, forex trading, and drug dealing, as well as vending throughout the night.
Long distance buses in city centre
The bus operators seem to be taking advantage of the fact that in darkness there will be less or no law enforcement agents in the vicinity.
The invasion by the bus operators is not only promoting illegal activities but also causing traffic jams and mayhem for private motorists and…
