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No change for transport
Bulawayo Agenda
June 16, 2009

Commuter omnibus operators in Bulawayo have revised their fares to either five rand (R5) or one United States dollar (US$1) saying that they are unable to get change anywhere. This comes after most service providers and retailers in the city have pegged all their prices in the South African rand following the firming up of the rand against the US dollar. Currently one dollar is said to be equivalent to eight rands whereas previously ten rands fetched one dollar. Complaints have however been raised by the public that this is unfair because most people earn their salaries in US dollars, so essentially these have been reduced. The government insists ten rands is equivalent to one dollar. The people feel that there is an urgent need for the country to adopt one currency to prevent the confusion that currently reigns in the country.

Meanwhile in Bulawayo Police have arrested several cross-border transporters (Omalayitsha) for what the police call touting. Business has been reduced for these transporters following the opening of foreign currency retail shops and the removal of Visas to travel to South Africa. These transporters were earning their money through transporting border jumpers to South Africa and by bringing in grocery items from South Africa to Zimbabwe. They have however become irrelevant because grocery items are now available in Zimbabwe and travelers no longer need a visa to visit South Africa. To remain viable, Omalayitsha have now resorted to plying local routes without permits. This has invited the wrath of the police and the registered operators of local routes hence the arrests.

Bulawayo Agenda is a civil society organisation that deals with advocacy and democracy issues. It is committed to providing a platform for people to express their views and to engage and debate on issues that affect their lives. It has active chapters in Gweru, Gwanda, Plumtree, Victoria Falls, Matopo, Hwange, Binga, Nkayi, Lupane, Tsholotsho, Masvingo and Mutare.

Visit the Bulawayo Agenda fact sheet

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