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Residents' Voices - Issue 44
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA)
February 11, 2011

Commuters appalled by conduct of traffic police

Residents have once again expressed dismay over the uncouth behaviour of traffic police officers and commuter omnibus operators in the city. The traffic police and commuter omnibus operators are at loggerheads following the introduction of new vehicles in the traffic police patrol fleet that culminated in an intensive operation against defaulting commuter drivers. Residents have complained that they are bearing the brunt in the impasse between commuter omnibus operators and the traffic police. They said their lives were put at risk when kombi drivers run away from police at high speed to try to avoid the exorbitant spot fines given by traffic police. Residents also expressed concerns that the traffic police operation was corrupt as evidenced by the fact that tickets issued to drivers contain false information. They called for sanity to be restored to the transport sector in order to avoid inconvenience to commuters and loss of life.

Residents castigate council

Residents in Bulawayo's western suburbs have expressed disappointment at the city council's move to fill potholes with sand. Residents have said that this move will not solve the problem because the sand will be washed away once rains return. It has been suggested that the city fathers should invest more into rehabilitation of roads in the city. Most of the roads in the city were constructed long ago and need to be totally revamped to avoid potholes during the rainy season as has become the norm. Residents have complained that potholes are damaging their vehicles while more accidents are likely to occur as motorists and cyclist try to avoid potholes. They said it was important for council to prioritise longer term solutions to problems instead of short term solutions that are in the long run more expensive.

Residents condemn withholding of results

Residents have condemned the move by some schools in the city to withhold the results of last year's form four students who have outstanding teachers' incentives debts. Residents of Bulawayo have previously argued that it is not their duty to subsidise teachers' salaries, but that of government hence it is unfair for them to be expected to pay teachers' incentives. Residents are arguing that the current situation is tantamount to an affront to the victims' right to liberty and right to education as they have to wait to collect their results before they can make future educational plans. Residents called for the Ministry of Education and the inclusive government as a whole to find ways to abolish teachers' incentives as most parents cannot afford them. They said teachers' incentives were making education a preserve for the rich, effectively depriving ordinary Zimbabweans of their right to education.

Residents demand better toilets

Bulawayo residents have expressed dismay with the state of public toilets in the city. Currently, public toilets all over the city, including the city centre are in a deplorable state. In areas such as the large City Hall and Basch Street Terminus, toilets are seldom cleaned and always dirty, posing health hazards to residents who use them. In addition to this, most of the toilets in these areas do not even have toilets, forcing residents to use them in full view of other people, which is very dehumanising. As if that is not enough, some of the toilets are not even functioning. Residents also expressed concerns that there are not enough toilets in the city centre, particularly in places where lots of people meet to do business.

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