EGODINI Terminus in Bulawayo has become a hotbed of violence, with gangs of school children clashing in frequent battles fuelled by inter-school rivalries, alcohol and substance abuse.
These skirmishes, often escalating into full-blown brawls, typically erupt after school hours, with Fridays seemingly reserved for settling scores.
The situation has grown increasingly dire, prompting intervention from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and other concerned stakeholders.
Despite the nearby presence of Ross Camp Police Station, the unruly gatherings persist, undeterred by law enforcement.
To address this escalating issue, police have joined forces with education sector representatives and local churches to launch a campaign educating youth about the dangers of such behaviour.
The initiative aims to raise awareness about the risks of serious injury and the harmful effects of alcohol and substance abuse.
By tackling these underlying issues, the campaign hopes to reduce the violence and promote a safer, more supportive environment for Bulawayo’s youth.
“Egodini Terminus is a busy place where many people travel to and from school, work as well as conduct their daily businesses. In 2024, during school days, the ZRP observed that school kids from different schools, which include Milton High, Founders High, Gifford High, Eveline High and other privately-owned colleges situated in the city centre frequent the taxi rank.
“The school kids meet in large numbers to engage in activities that pose serious risks to their safety and well-being, including taking drugs, drinking alcohol and physical altercations.
“These unruly behaviours not only pose a serious danger to the school kids involved but also create an unsafe environment for other commuters and community members in general. The ZRP has observed that activities often delay the school children from boarding their transport back home, leading to increased vulnerability at night when they drop off in their respective suburbs,” said Bulawayo provincial police acting spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele.
To tackle the growing issue of disruptive behaviour at Egodini Terminus, she said the police have joined forces with local transport operators, including Bulawayo United Passengers Transport Association (Bupta), Vuka Uzenzele Transport Association (Vuta), Tshova Mubaiwa, and Bulawayo City Transit.
This collaborative effort aims to curb the unruly behaviour of groups of schoolchildren which has become a recurring problem at the terminus.
According to Asst Insp Msebele, the police will increase patrols around Egodini Terminus, particularly during afternoons on school days when these incidents are most common.
By boosting their presence, she said the police hope to deter this disruptive behaviour and maintain a safer environment for commuters.
Local vendors have also weighed in on the issue, expressing concerns about the impact of these school groups on their businesses.
They’re urging parents to take a more active role in ensuring their children return home promptly after school, rather than loitering in the city centre and engaging in disruptive activities.
“The fights take place almost on a daily basis. These kids leave their schools, meet here at Egodini and start fighting. Fridays are worse because that’s when they drink alcohol and even smoke publicly. I’m sure parents have no idea their children spend the afternoons fighting in the city centre,” said one Nompilo Mangena.
