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Crime Reporter
The Anti-Drug Abuse Forum Zimbabwe has expressed concern over the rampant abuse of drugs by touts in Harare that has seen them harassing commuters. This follows the death of a Harare man Mr Mathias Gore on Tuesday after he was manhandled by touts at Roadport Bus Terminus along Robert Mugabe Road. In a statement, the forum’s coordinator Mr Collin Mapfumo said the public was constantly being exposed to verbal and physical abuse.

“The recent loss of a traveller’s life at the hands of rowdy touts near Roadport is a sad event that requires a thorough interrogation of not only the mental state of the alleged culprits, but also the general informal working environment,” he said.

“We have highlighted before the disturbing levels of drug and substance abuse in the informal sector, particularly in public spaces such as bus and kombi ranks where members of the public are constantly exposed to verbal and physical abuse. The alleged killing of a passenger by touts near Roadport should not be seen in isolation. The public transport sector in the country is notorious for reckless driving, traffic violations and violent behaviour, which are directly linked to drug and substance abuse. It is also concerning to note that the ranks and mushikashika have become havens for drug and illegal substance peddlers, who find a ready market among the drivers, conductors, touts and vendors.”

Mr Mapfumo urged the police and relevant authorities to execute their duties as required by law to bring sanity in the public transport sector. “We also urge commuter operators to abide by the law and use designated ranks, but most of all to respect the commuting public,” Mr Mapfumo said. On Tuesday, police impounded two Smart Express buses as investigations into the death of Mr Gore continued.

National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi on Tuesday said they were going to keep patrolling the area to ensure that no bus or commuter omnibus would be allowed to pick up passengers. He also warned police officers in the habit of taking money from touts to give them free reign.