Disabled and Albinos, Vulnerable Souls Sold For Terminus Turf
The air at 4th Street bus terminus is usually a thick soup of diesel fumes, and the rhythmic shouting of destinations.
But beneath the familiar chaos of Harare’s transport hub, a sinister brand of exploitation has taken root—one that treats the most vulnerable members of society as disposable tactical gear.
According to Chris Chuchu, President of the Citizens Protection Council of Zimbabwe (CPCZ), a disturbing trend has emerged among the rank marshals led by one senior rank marshal only indetified as Tafadzws from online Transport, who control the flow of commuters. These marshals are allegedly using persons with disabilities and people with albinism as “human shields” in violent territorial disputes.
The strategy is as calculated as it is heartless. When rival factions of marshals clash over lucrative pickup points, one side will strategically place disabled individuals or people with albinism at the front lines. They claim the space is a “reserved zone” for the underprivileged to justify their occupation and deter physical retaliation from rivals who might hesitate to strike someone visibly vulnerable.
”It is a mockery of protection,” says Chuchu. “They use these citizens as a moral and physical barrier to defend their territories. They shout that the space belongs to the disabled only when they are under threat.”
The exploitation doesn’t end when the rival gangs retreat. Once the territory is secured and the “battle” is won, the mask of advocacy falls away. The marshals, now firmly in control of the loading fees and “rank taxes,” reportedly turn on the very people they claimed to be protecting.
The process follows a heartbreaking pattern where vulnerable individuals are used to anchor a claim to a specific spotand by so doing ,rivals back off to avoid the optics of attacking the disabled.
Once the threat is gone, the marshals chase the disabled and albinos away.
All proceeds from the pickup point are pocketed by the unruly marshals, leaving the “shields” with nothing.
This isn’t just a dispute over bus ranks; it is a gross violation of human rights and dignity. By using people with albinism and disabilities as pawns in a violent game of “turf war,” these marshals are reinforcing the systemic marginalization these groups already face.
The Citizens Protection Council is now making a direct appeal to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Police, and Local Government authorities to intervene.
”We are calling on the responsible authorities to bring these unruly elements to book,” Chuchu urged. “We cannot allow the 4th Street terminus to become a lawless fiefdom where the less privileged are used as tools for greed.”
The CPC emphasizes that simply clearing the ranks of thugs is not enough. To truly solve the crisis, there must be a shift toward genuine economic empowerment. If the less privileged are given secure, legally protected spaces to operate their small businesses or seek assistance, they will no longer be susceptible to the “protection” rackets of terminus gangs.
The tragedy at 4th Street is a litmus test for our society. Will we allow the most vulnerable to be used as bait and barriers, or will the authorities finally step in to ensure that “protection” actually means safety for those who need it most?
The time for looking away is over. The marshals must be removed, and the dignity of our citizens must be restored.
