Natalie Nyathi,
Business Reporter
With several uncollected rubbish dumpsites dotted around, non functioning restrooms, worn-out pot holed surfaces to worn out shades, an observer can tell how neglected the once famous Rank In (Renkini) is from its current state.
Renkini is the oldest designated station where rural and long distance bus operators are supposed to ferry passengers from to their destinations.
The Rank In used to cater for such destinations as Victoria Falls, Nkayi, Lupane, Plumtree, Beitbridge, Harare and afar field as Mutare.
Because of its neglected state many rural as well as highway buses are ferrying at unlawful areas such as Max Garage, St Patricks, Evelyn High School.
Public amenities at Renkini are no longer function, and those that are working the place is so filthy one could catch some disease. which has led to just a few left being used. .
The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is responsible for the repairs and maintenance of roads, up keep of the citys property but it seems it is oblivious of it’s responsibility such that the roads in Bulawayo are a mess, full of potholes and patches and in the case of Renkini, the surface has worn out and the place resembles a dusty playground.
There is also a dumpster which has been left unattended to but the highway bus operators pay US$5 and US$ 10 respectively.
Where is the money going to if it is not used to maintain the place?
Joseph Mupandawana one of the bus drivers interviewed had this to say,
“One of the reasons why some of us drivers are no longer loading inside this place is because to enter this rank, local buses pay US$5 and us from out of Bulawayo we pay US$10 and also the fact that it is a hassle to maneuver out the rank”.
This has led many drivers to dodge the Rank and ferry from undesignated places.
“No it’s not only because of tax and how neglected Renkini its that a lot of drivers are no longer utilising this place, it’s because there is competition for customers of which you cannot get from Renkini”, said one vendor MaMpofu.
This reporter went and spoke to the caretakers of Renkini for comments, they were referred to Nesisa Mpofu the City Councils spokesperson who did not respond prior publication.