Incapacitated Govt insists on impounding public transporters

Despite the incapacitated Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (ZUPCO) buses government keeps insisting on law enforcement and surveillance of public transporters

The country is facing transport struggles due to the ban on kombis which has seen citizens turning to errant kombis , private cars, and open trucks for transportation.

Recently Social media platforms have been blasting Zupco stating that government should admit that its mass public transporter is failing to cope with demand.

However, the government has turned a blind eye to the long queues and unreliable buses, but rather insists on intensifying law enforcement.

Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa said authorities have noted an increase in illegal kombis not registered under zupco.

“Authorities noted a worrying trend of an upsurge in the use of unauthorised passenger-carrying vehicles that were not affiliated to ZUPCO.”

“In order to curb this development, the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID), the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), and the Traffic Safety Council (ZTSC) are enhancing surveillance and enforcement,” she said.

During last week’s cabinet briefing Minister Mutsvangwa hinted on the intensifying of law enforcement while not paying much attention to the real transport challenges.

“ Regarding Public Transport, Cabinet noted with concern the increased flouting of COVID-19 prevention control measures in the public transport system.”

“In this regard, Cabinet agreed that Law and Order should increase surveillance on public transporters, “ she said.

Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo last week said ZUPCO kombis are the legal transporters allowed to operate.

“Zupco affiliated commuter omnibuses are the only ones allowed to operate, that is the policy in place and it has not changed.”

The government banned all private commuter omnibuses from operating.

The legalized Zupco buses have since been failing while citizens have to go through daily transport struggles with the police impounding and chasing vehicles.