Student activists from the University of Zimbabwe have implored Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) authorities to avail more buses to reduce pressure when people board buses and kombis as this has resulted in rampant sexual abuse of women in queues.
Acknowledge Mawere, spokesperson for Observe Our Rights Group, told B-Metro that they had encountered a lot of women and girls who had been abused at ZUPCO buses pick-up points. Said Mawere:
From the interviews and researches we have done so far, women and girls are telling us that since there is usually a lot of pressure and a lot of people trying to get into the buses at times some men touch their private parts and other sensitive parts of their bodies.
There is also an issue of conductors, drivers and monitors demanding to date young school girls to secure them a seat.
Mawere urged ZUPCO officials to create a women-friendly environment in the ZUPCO ranks and terminuses.