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- Commuters alarmed by rate of accidents
– Decide to hitchhike but robbers pounce
– Defiant kombis show authorities middle finger
By Nhau Correspondent
Passenger Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) president Tafadzwa Goliati has sensationally claimed that 75 percent of the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco)’s buses are unroadworthy.
This follows a spate of unexplained accidents involving several buses contracted under the company’s banner.
The accidents have seen some passengers being fearful of using Zupco buses at a time the public transport situation is worsening due to a ban on kombis and an ever-increasing volume of commuters, particularly in urban areas.
Goliati said the transport crisis exposes commuters to several dangers, especially robberies, accidents and Covid-19. There is a rise in reported cases of commuters being robbed after boarding mshika-shika and pirate commuter omnibuses.
Goliati said his organisation has tried in vain to approach responsible authorities to address the crisis.
“Zupco has too few buses to be serving all commuters, which results in people getting to work and home very late,” he said.
“At least 75 percent of their buses are not road worthy, thus posing danger of accidents to passengers. Some of the buses breakdown before reaching their destinations leaving commuters stranded on the roads. The drivers are also rude.”
PAZ rubbished the official narrative that Zupco’s monopoly prevents the spread of Covid-19.
“Zupco buses, especially those operating in areas such as Mabvuku, Tafara and Eastview, pack up passengers with some even carrying standing passengers.
“Social distancing is not practiced, while the buses and their stations are not regularly disinfected, thus posing a health danger to commuters. Zupco fares maybe affordable but it is at the expense of people’s health,” said Goliath.
He added: “Statutory Instrument 200 of 2020, which gives Zupco monopoly to operate violates people’s right to choose, while the only option people are left with is not good enough.”
The transport crisis, particularly in Harare, has seen the majority of commuters relying on private vehicles, open trucks and pirate taxis (mshika-shika) to travel to and from work.
The gap created by banning kombis under the guise of preventing the spread of Covid-19, leaving Zupco as the sole operator, is yet to be filled.
Even after taking on some private operators under their banner, Zupco does not have the capacity to take on all commuters, leaving them with no option but to hitch-hike.
Defiant kombis are utilising the market gap.
To evade a heavy-handed policing by ZRP, most of them have since removed number plates to avoid being identified.
They have also replaced normal glass windows with wood, and shielded their screens with metal, protecting them from police officers, who after failing to get aboard the kombis smash their windows and windscreens.
Different residential areas have various pick up points where the kombis and police engage in a day long cat and mouse game.
Speeding kombis, with police officers chasing after them, risking lives of pedestrians are a regular occurrence at the Fourth Street bus terminus.
After arrest kombis allegedly pay bribes to avoid being impounded.
In a recent media report, National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said operators of commuter omnibuses or private vehicles ferrying passengers illegally on city and inter-city routes risked having them impounded.
He said police officers accepting bribes from defiant transporters will be flushed out of the police service.
“The police are aware that some vehicle owners and drivers have removed number plates, with some putting wooden boards or other materials on windows in order to evade arrest,” he said.
“This will not be tolerated and the law will be applied.”
Asst Comm Nyathi said more officers had since been deployed to ensure those who broke the law were arrested.
Police reports indicate that since the beginning of the national lockdown, a total of 224 037 people have been arrested for flouting regulations, while 21 180 vehicles were impounded for pirating and putting the lives of the public at risk.
Kombi operators are however pleading for their return.
“The government should allow us back on the roads and repeal statutes that give Zupco monopoly,” said Tawanda Majuru whose kombis used to service the Harare-Ruwa route.
“I have a large fleet of kombis that are registered and licensed to commute people, but all the money we paid this year has gone to waste, while my vehicles are just parked not generating any income.
“I fear if they continue in idleness they may end up not running.”
Kombis used to employ a great number of people, among them drivers and conductors most of whom are now touts for pirate taxis.
Some of those pushed into unemployment by the kombi ban are blamed for the surging number of robberies on the roads.
Some kombi operators have adapted to change and now hire their vehicles to corporates and staff buses, while some are working with domestic tourism operators to transport clients to various destinations. Nhau/Indaba
