Transport operators reluctant to hire out buses to MDC delegates

By Tichaona Sibanda
14 March 2006

A senior MDC official has said delegates travelling to Harare over the next three days for the party’s congress will have to find their own way to the capital. This follows the reluctance of most transport operators to hire out their buses to provincial delegates.

Masvingo provincial treasurer Bernard Chiondegwa said most transport operators are afraid that their companies will be linked with the MDC, once their buses or trucks are seen ferrying delegates to the city sports centre in Harare.

‘This is a logistical problem we are facing right now and its apparently nationwide. The operators are sympathetic to the MDC but they are afraid to take that chance because of the fear they might be branded MDC financiers,’ said Chiondegwa.

This is a predicament that stems from the 2000 MDC congress, when several buses were torched by Zanu (PF) youths and their owners heavily censured for helping with the transportation of delegates.

Chiondengwa was quick to allay fears that this would cause problems, emphasising that they had already made plans for the delegates to find their own way to Harare.

‘This obviously means pumping out more money and we are asking all our members and supporters to help us in a way,’ he said.