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Andile Tshuma, Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO commuter omnibus operators have launched a bereavement scheme that has seen families getting free transport for burials.

The transport is mainly offered for burials conducted in the city, but in some instances there are minimal charges for burials outside the city.
Bulawayo City Transit Trust, Tshova Mubaiwa Transport Co-operative and the Bulawayo Public Transport Association (BUPTA) started offering free transport to bereaved families in August in some areas, but the programme now covers all suburbs in the city. Residents are required to approach the taxi association which plies their route for assistance through their area councilor or the residents association.

Bulawayo City Transit Trust director Mr Daniel Pondo said his association has been assisting bereaved families in different suburbs for the past three months.

“We started this project about three to four months back. The response from the people has been overwhelming. There is need. We give more than one taxi to each family, maybe two or three, however, when there are multiple funerals on the same day, we offer one free kombi, fueled, to each family to ferry them to the cemetery and for other errands,” he said.

”We are just showing our appreciation to the people who keep us in business. We unfortunately offer free transport within the city. However, should a family approach us and want to go outside Bulawayo, we negotiate for a minimal fee, that’s less than what is normally charged to hire a kombi.”

Mr Keeper Ndlovu, a BUPTA director, said his company also offers free transport to families who wish to bury their loved ones, even in their rural homes.

“We serve everyone. Our mandate is to take our commuters to their final resting place as long as it is in Zimbabwe, whatever province. So they just have to go via their ward councillors or the residents association, and we are there to assist. We do not deal with individual families, but they are referred to us by community leaders,” he said.

Bulawayo United Residents Association chairperson Mr Winos Dube said they were grateful to kombi operators for the free funeral service.  “I am aware of such an initiative. We are very excited about it. This has never happened in Bulawayo. It is a welcome move,” said Mr Dube.  He said the move was likely to change the perception that society has on people who work in the kombi industry.

“We are very proud of what our taxi associations have done for the city. This is going to change what people think about the taxi industry. Many people wrongly believe that the taxi industry is run by criminals, yet it is not always the case. It will definitely change the face of the taxi industry.

They are proving a point that they can plough back to the community that is the reason why they are in business. We are looking forward to more coverage of Bulawayo suburbs. It may seem small in some circles but this is very big for us as the Bulawayo community,” he said.

—@andile_tshuma