Roadport Bus Terminal Faces Closure as City Council Moves to Cancel Agreement and Demolish Unauthorized Tuckshops

Roadport Bus Terminal on the Verge of Closure as Harare City Council Moves to Cancel Agreement

Harare’s long-distance bus terminal, Roadport, is facing potential closure as the Harare City Council moves to cancel its operating agreement with Roadport (Pvt) Limited.

The decision arises from dissatisfaction with the benefits derived from the current arrangement

City Council Seeks to Cancel Agreement

According to Citizen Voice Network, the Harare City Council is preparing to terminate its agreement with Roadport (Pvt) Limited for the operation of the popular cross-border bus terminus on Fifth Street.

Confirming the development,  Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume revealed that the decision to cancel the agreement with Roadport (Pvt) Limited is because the city has ‘benefited absolutely nothing’ from the deal

“The Roadport agreement is one that we are going to cancel. We have benefited absolutely nothing from it.

When the Roadport was built, they neglected that it was property of the City of Harare,” Mayor Mafume stated during his appearance before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee.

Also Read: ‘Operation Guta Ngarigare Rakachena’: Harare Police Clamp Down on Vendors, Illegal Taxis, and Touts Ahead of SADC Summit

Issues with Lease and Tuckshops Demolition

Roadport is situated on land that was originally leased from the Harare City Council to the Raylton Sports Club. This land was designated for the use of sports and recreational facilities by railway workers.

Alongside the Roadport termination, the City Council is also planning to demolish unauthorized tuckshops that were constructed at Raylton Sports Club. Mayor Mafume noted that these developments were in violation of the lease agreement with the National Railways of Zimbabwe.

Mixed Reactions Over Roadport Closure

The news of Roadport’s potential closure has sparked diverse reactions on social media. Some social media users support the City Council’s decision, while others have voiced concerns and opposition to the move

Here are some of the reactions;

@Elizabeth Nyamu;

vadi kuvapa warning then get paid what’s due to them

@You’ve Found Tawanda Alifeyo;

 its was a flop from the word go vaidi kutaura ekutanga nw yakunzi yakavakwa pasiripo hw many years nzvimbo iyo ichishanda no employment nw vamwe vakutopererwa nemabasa more hazviko

@Eddy Makari;

I dont usually agree with Mafume but i think he is spot-on on this one, land barons have created a mess in our towns and cities with our local councils benefiting nothing out of those skewed deals, we cant have selfish individuals continue to suffocate our resources at the expense of the citizens, this madness must stop.

@Oliver Muza;

Mweya wekupaza wavabata.

Previous Closure Attempts

This is not the first time that Roadport bus terminal has been reported to be on the verge of closure. In 2021, the Harare City Council resolved to shut down the bus terminus amid disputes with the current operators.

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