BY PRAISEMORE SITHOLE
THE Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) has urged State security forces to stop abusing the commuting public as they try to find transport home after curfew since the sole public transporter, Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (Zupco), was failing to cope with demand.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently announced a 6pm to 6am curfew to curb the spread of coronavirus.
In a statement, PAZ said they had been inundated with complaints from passengers who have experienced abuse at the hands of soldiers and police officers.
“In Mabvuku, for instance, people who were coming from work were beaten up. Due to the fact that there is a massive transport challenge and Zupco lacks the capacity, they arrived after the curfew had started and they were beaten up together with vendors,” PAZ said.
“On July 30 and 31, there was daylight victimisation and physical beating of people at bus ranks in Harare CBD and other places within the city and other cities.”
PAZ said private vehicle owners also suffered similar abuses at the hands of “law officers seeking corrupt gains”.
“Zupco must consistently provide buses and they must regularly fumigate their buses, check passengers body temperatures and sanitise,” PAZ said.
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Contacted for comment, Zimbabwe National Army spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Alphios Makotore referred NewsDay to the police “You can check with the police, look for (national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul) Nyathi, he will assist you,” Makotore said.
But Nyathi said: “I am not aware of the issue and when people complain on such issues, they should tell the exact location, but we have not received such complaints.”
