An official investigation is underway against the Musina Municipality’s chief traffic officer, following serious complaints about what is described as arrogant racist attitudes and an alleged death threat against a prominent Indian businessman of the town.

Outrage followed a recent incident in which international traffic between South Africa and Zimbabwe, as well as business activity in the central business district of Musina, was jeopardized by what is believed to be a racially motivated, spiteful removal of a demarcated loading zone in front of Lion King Hyperana, a major business premises alongside the N1, the town’s main street and also the main thoroughfare to the Beitbridge border post.

Prominent Indian businessman Mr Jayson Rana, who is the owner of the Lion King discount outlet and also chairperson of the Musina Chamber of Commerce, described in an interview a startling chain of events which resulted in an official written complaint against the actions of Musina municipality’s chief traffic officer, Mr Chris Crouse.

Mr Rana said when he requested the traffic department to repaint the faded yellow line, demarcating the very busy loading zone in front of his main street business premises, he was allegedly told by Mr Crouse that the municipality did not have yellow paint. Mr Rana then proceeded to order a supply of the SABS standard road-marking yellow paint and repainted the yellow markings in front of his shop and in front of the vehicle entrance to his backyard.

To his utmost dismay, Mr Rana said, Mr Crouse’s team turned up and covered the yellow markings with black paint.

"When I protested his actions, Mr Crouse arrogantly told me that I have no business painting the street. He denied that there ever was a demarcated loading zone in front of my shop. When I told him about the traffic congestion caused in the main street by commercial vehicles which are forced to double park, when people park their vehicles on the loading zone area, he said that this was not his problem."

Mr Rana said it is surprising that the traffic department under Mr Crouse had the time, manpower and material to remove, with such haste, the lawful markings of an important loading zone, while an old South African flag, which was painted on the tarred street surface opposite the main municipal buildings several months ago, still remains intact.

Mr Crouse’s senior, Community Service Manager Pedron Nndwa, confirmed on enquiry that he had received a written complaint on the incident at Lion King.

"I have written him a letter and is awaiting his response."

Mr Nndwa confirmed an incident when he phoned Mr Crouse about Mr Rana’s complaint. "I was not happy about his response at the time. He threatened over the phone to kill Mr Rana. He repeated this threat several times," Mr Nndwa said. He confirmed that an official investigation is underway and that appropriate action will be taken on the outcome of the investigation.