X-Mas travellers stranded at Mbare Musika

HARARE- There was chaos at Mbare Musika on Friday as hordes of people intending to travel to various destinations for the Christmas and New Year holidays failed to get transport.

Such was the situation at all pick-up points on roads leading out of Harare. Seven more people died in various accidents recorded countrywide on Friday, bringing the holiday death toll to 39 since Thursday last week.

The transport problems resulted in the few buses that were available cashing in on the situation by doubling fares. There was also commotion at most banks in the city centre as people jostled to withdraw money. Prices of most basic commodities, however, remained stable.

Most workers, including civil servants, now have disposable income enabling them to travel for holidays compared to previous years. At Mbare Musika, hundreds of travellers were stranded as buses hiked fares. This is despite Government assurance that there is enough fuel to cater for the holiday.

Worst affected were those travelling to such places as Chiredzi, Buhera, Mutare and Gutu. Chiredzi-bound travellers, who usually pay US$8 from Harare, were forced to pay US$20 while those travelling to Mutare paid US$15, up from US$6.

Passengers travelling to Murambinda were also caught in the bus fare “madness” and were forced to part with US$12, up from US$5. Those going to Mt Darwin and Muzarabani were not spared.

Travellers urged the Government to take measures that regulate fares charged by public transport operators.

“This is just greediness and they know we do not have an option since we want to be in the rural areas for the holidays. Government should do something about these unscrupulous bus operators because we suffer every holiday,” said Mr Tonderai Nkomo.

Mr Vongai Matiki said: “This spirit of profiteering is destroying our economy. We are being fleeced and there is no intervention from the authorities.” At the Exhibition Park, travellers to Gweru, Zvishavane, Shurugwi and Bulawayo were also being overcharged.

It was the same situation at the roundabout near Boka Tobacco Auction floors (KuMbudzi) – the pick-up point for those travelling to Masvingo, Chiredzi and Beitbridge. On Monday, Government warned that it will cancel licences of transport operators who violate the conditions of route authority.

Long winding queues continued at most banking halls people jostled to withdraw their money. Despite the Bankers Association of Zimbabwe saying banks had enough cash to meet the demand associated with the holidays, most people said they have failed to access cash since Tuesday.

Cash queues were most pronounced at CABS, ZB and FBC. “The cash is not accessible. I have been here since Tuesday and Thursday but have failed to get into the bank because of the queue.

“At some point you are told that they have run out of cash and you spend three to four hours waiting for the money,” said a man, who wanted to travel to his rural home. Others blamed the queues on poor service by bank workers.

“It takes more than 30 minutes to serve less than 10 people and just imagine how many people would have been served by the end of the day. Security guards have also become corrupt and are demanding bribes for people to jump queues,” another client said.

Bank officials attributed the long queues to system breakdowns and high demand. Meanwhile, the ZRP and Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe yesterday launched a traffic safety net to conscientise drivers on the importance of observing traffic regulations.

TSCZ managing director Mr Obio Chinyere said: “We will continue alerting the people. We are shocked that in our campaigns we have discovered drivers without licences and it is disheartening to know they will be carrying people. This has to stop,” said Mr Chinyere.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri yesterday said 282 people have been injured so far in 591 accidents recorded countrywide since Thursday last week. He said 1 390 defective vehicles have also been impounded while 45 328 tickets have been issued to motorists for various traffic offences.

Midlands Province recorded the highest number of deaths with eight, Matabeleland South and Masvingo had six each, Harare five, Mashonaland Central four while Mashonaland East and Mashonaland West had three deaths each.

Supt Phiri said Bulawayo had two while Manicaland and Matabeleland North recorded one death each. “We want to continue to urge motorists to exercise caution when driving on the country’s major highways to avoid road carnage,” he said. Supt Phiri warned drivers not to drive under the influence of alcohol.

He said police will arrest anyone found on the wrong side of the law.