Man goes berserk over fare refund

A 20-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court for allegedly stoning a bus windscreen in protest against being denied a fare refund.

Thembinkosi Sibanda (20), who is of no fixed abode, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya who remanded him in custody to February 21.

The magistrate ordered that Sibanda be mentally examined by two doctors.

Mr Chaanoda Ticharwa, for the State, said Sibanda, who was intending to travel to Nkayi, paid for the journey at Renkini bus terminus in Bulawayo on January 25 in the morning.

When the bus was about to depart, he allegedly asked for a refund.

The bus crew refused to refund him.

“On January 25 this year at around 8AM, Sibanda was at Renkini Bus terminus where he paid his bus fare to Nkayi.

“When the bus was about to leave the terminus, Sibanda approached the conductor, Maphosa and demanded a refund as he alleged that he was no longer interested in proceeding with the journey,” said Mr Ticharwa.

“Maphosa told him that there was no refund because the bus was now leaving. This did not go down well with Sibanda.”

He allegedly then picked a stone and hit the front right windscreen of the bus, damaging it.

Maphosa reported the matter to the police leading to Sibanda’s arrest.

The windscreen that was destroyed was valued at $300. — @gwizi_n.

Conventional buses introduced by the Government to alleviate the plight of commuters from overcharging kombis queue to pick up commuters from the intersection of Herbert Chitepo Street and 6th Avenue yesterday. Proper ranking space is needed like Basch Street Bus Terminus Egodini) which is under upgrading. (Picture By Dennis Mudzamiri)