By Trevor Makonyonga
The Passenger Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) has cried foul over government’s failure to provide adequate transport for formal workers during this lockdown period.
Speaking to Bustop TV, PAZ President Tafadzwa Goriati said they are not amused by the government’s lack of appreciation of the real situation on the ground.
“Transport situation is bad in Harare. There is no transport. People are now using lorries and pick up trucks. Passengers are being overcharged and the people are overcrowded. The ZUPCO buses are very few. The government is refusing that they are failing but they are. We want kombis with associations to come back. We need alternative transport. People should have an option. We don’t want a ZUPCO monopoly and ZUPCO does not have capacity.
“People are travelling late and thieves are now capilising. Passengers are having to wait for many hours for transport. COVID-19 might spread even more because we are getting reports that people are not being sanitized oftenly. Even the buses too, we are not sure if they are being disinfected. They are not sanitizing regularly. As passengers we are not happy with the way we are being treated. It is clear that what is happening is wrong but the sad thing is that those uncharged are saying that they are right. We all no that they are wrong. There is no accessibily of transport. We want order but the way it is being done is wrong. Kombis should come back to help out under the same regulations ZUPCO is using.”
Goriati also spoke of how human rights are being violated by the army and police.
“Our rights are being violated by law enforcement agencies. The constant demand of letters is not necessary. It is sometimes dehumanizing. The situation is very bad. Some are being made to disembark these buses without refund and sometimes they are being asked to lye down. People are imprisoned already. Police officers and the army are violating human rights. The transport situation just has to improve.”
Meanwhile, Yesterday PAZ led by Goriati were in Chitungwiza educating passengers on the importance of social distancing and sanitizing in the fight against COVID-19.
PAZ joined hands with ZUPCO in ensuring smooth entrances into buses.
