A WAR between commuter omnibus and pirate taxi operators has erupted, with kombi drivers chasing and blocking unregistered transporters.
BATANAI MUTASA OWN CORRESPONDENT
There was commotion yesterday afternoon when five Bulawayo United Public Transporters’ Association (Bupta) commuter omnibuses chased down a white sedan car with passengers along Robert Mugabe Way and ambushed it after 12th Avenue.
The commuter omnibus crew started physically assaulting the car driver.
“We want to teach you a lesson because you have no respect for us,” shouted the touts, as they punched the driver with clenched fists.
He was bundled into one of their vehicles which sped off with him, leaving behind the passengers. It was not immediately evident why that particular car was targeted.
However, fellow pirate taxis said friction between the two camps had been going on for a long time, with kombi drivers issuing threats.
“These guys are being very unfair because there is no reason to beat someone up like that,” said a man who claimed to be a friend to the kidnapped driver.
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The man had to park the abandoned vehicle, which had been left in the middle of the road.
People who witnessed the debacle blocked one of the Bupta kombis belonging to one K M Ndlovu, registration ABN 7032, from leaving the scene, saying he should answer for his colleagues’ behaviour and help locate the kidnapped man.
Later it was revealed that the pirate taxi driver had been taken to Drill Hall.
Efforts to get comment from the police and Bupta were fruitless.
