Commuters wait for days as transport crisis deepens

By Tererai Karimakwenda
08 August, 2007

The expression “feet don’t fail me now” took on a very serious meaning in Zimbabwe on Tuesday when thousands of commuters around the country found themselves stranded. With many state-run and private buses out of service due to serious fuel shortages, the streets were crowded with people walking to their destinations. The state media reported that many were waiting up to 4 days for transport home to rural areas, ahead of the Heroes holiday next week. The traditional trips may not happen for many this time around.

An official is quoted as saying bus operators were being allocated 500 litres per bus each week, which lasts only a day and a half. Workers and school children are being forced to walk long distances. And many people have resorted to sleeping in doorways and other cold places overnight, rather than walk home and make the same journey back in the morning.

On Wednesday our Bulawayo contact Zenzele said he dropped off a friend at Renkini Bus Terminal at 5:00 am to wait for transport to Gweru. By 2:00 pm he was still not on a bus yet and there was no assurance he would succeed. Zenzele described the terminal as very crowded. He said every morning people waiting for transport to Harare fight for space on only 3 or 4 buses all morning. Minibuses have stopped operating because they are being forced to charge Z$25,000 for the trip to the capital, which used to be Z$60,000. Zenzele said fuel costs them Z$1.5 million for 5 litres on the black market, so they would lose a lot of money if they complied with the forced price cuts.

Fuel pumps have dried up more than ever before as the result of government’s ongoing price control exercise, that began 6 weeks ago. All businesses, including petrol stations, were forced to cut their prices and operate at a loss in what the authorities claimed was an attempt to control the country’s hyperinflation. Panic buying and massive looting by officials followed, leaving shelves empty and pumps dry. And the government is failing to provide enough fuel for transport operators as promised.