Minibus drivers have been caught up in a protracted battle for control of bus ranks across the capital, and are being forced to pay daily ‘protection’ fees to operate on certain routes. The fight is being led by gangs known as the “mandimbandimba” and they have been flouting their ZANU PF allegiance, by wearing party regalia and colours.
The gangs have also been attacking drivers who refuse to pay the fee. On Thursday morning drivers at the Charge Office bus terminus were assaulted, after more than 30 “mandimbandimba” arrived at the terminus and formed an illegal road block. Drivers who refused to hand over their three dollar fee were pulled out of their vehicles and assaulted. Some were strangled and slapped and others were forced to kneel on the ground and beg for forgiveness.
The gang members reportedly arrived at the bus terminus in top-of-the range cars, including black BMW X5s, Range Rovers and Mercedes Benz MLs. They were also seen wearing designer suits and black tops inscribed with the words ‘security’. One minibus driver was quoted as saying that the gangs threaten them every day, and they are seen wearing “badges, crème and green berets inscribed (with) ZANU PF. We comply with their demands because of fear.” Another driver said that the money being extorted from the drivers will be used by ZANU PF ahead of elections.
It is widely believed that the notorious Chipangano are linked to the minibus scam, because the gang already controls most flea markets, council owned flats and other bus ranks across Harare. The gang is also synonymous with violence and intimidation in Harare and for years has led attacks against perceived supporters of anyone opposed to ZANU PF.
Precious Shumba, the director of the Harare Resident’s Trust, told SW Radio Africa that the gang was originally let loose by top ZANU PF officials to ensure the party’s grip on power. But he explained that the party no longer has control, because the gang has become financially independent.
“The gang depended on ZANU PF for protection from prosecution. But they have now become independent financially from ZANU PF because of the money they are making controlling markets and bus ranks. They don’t need ZANU PF anymore. They are a gang for hire,” Shumba said.
He added: “ZANU PF has lost all control of this vigilante group.”
ZANU PF has been trying to distance itself from the attacks on the minibus drivers, taking to the state controlled Herald newspaper to insist the gangs are not aligned to the party. The Herald, which traditionally steers clear of reporting on anything that paints ZANU PF negatively, has also reported extensively on the gangs holding the minibus drivers to ransom, even quoting drivers who have pointed the blame at ZANU PF.
Shumba said this behaviour by the party and its mouthpiece newspaper is likely linked to ZANU PF’s plans for elections, explaining that the party “might be trying to curry favour by condemning violence.”
“ZANU PF thinks it can play this game of talking peace and practicing violence, and they think they have a chance of increasing their areas of influence like this,” Shumba said.
He added that Chipangano is donning party regalia to take advantage of ZANU PF’s reluctance to punish its members, because of the potential backlash from its support base. He said ZANU PF would prefer to distance itself and preach peace, than be seen taking action against a gang they can no longer control.
–SW Radio Africa News
Post published in: News