Story by Farirai Mutumburanzou
Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has lifted the suspension of licenses for all omnibuses belonging to Swaymo Enterprises Pvt Ltd Blue Circle, Wipeco Investments Pvt Ltd City Bus, and Simplex Coaches with effect from 3 June 2024.
Their operating licenses were revoked because they breached the terms and conditions of their operating licenses by operating public service vehicles without valid motor and passenger insuarances, certificates of road worthiness, road service permits, installed speed monitoring and limiting devices and employing drivers without the requisite competences to drive Buses.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Honourable Felix Tapiwa Mhona addressing the press today said they made sure the bus operators are now compliant to the road statutory laws and going forward they will be placed on a Compliance Monitoring Programme.
“Going forward, the bus operators will be placed on a Compliance Monitoring Programme so as to continuously assess whether they are adhering to the regulatory requirements.
“This Programme will also be extended to all operators which are found violating the terms and conditions of their operating licenses,” he said.
The Minister added that in a bid to reduce road carnage, they will move from suspending operating licenses to the cancellation of licenses.
Hon Mhona condemned acts of public violence at ranks because such actions affect the safety and security of commuters, bus crews and members of the public.
“The Ministry also strongly condemns the recent acts of public violence at bus loading bays and ranks.
“Such actions severely impact on the safety and security of commuters, bus crews and members of the public, especially children, women, and persons with disabilities,” he said.
He highlighted that the Ministry will not tolerate corruption, as it stands with the 2nd Republic principles and any bus operators found at fault will be brought to book.
“If you are a bus operater operating on the roads without license, we do not want your money to navigate on our roads.
“I made it specific that there is no bribery that we will entertain inorder for you to be on our roads, we need compliance and compliance only.
“As the 2nd Republic, His Excellency President Mnangagwa made it clear against corruption tendencies and this is what we uphold as a ministry together with my team to make sure that we don’t condone corrupt tendencies,” he said.
He added that the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Vehicle Inspectorate Department and the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe is working hand in hand with the Ministry in ensuring road safety for all.
“To prevent traffic deaths and injuries, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department will be participating in joint enforcement operations throughout the country.
“Our Traffic Safety Council will also undertake road safety awareness campaigns to persuade road users to make their own contribution towards roads safety,” said Hon Mhona.
The Blue Circle bus and the City Bus operational licenses were revoked following a fatal road traffic crash that occurred on 9 and 16 March 2024 in Western Cape, South Africa and in Beitbridge respectively.
Meanwhile, Bus and kombi drivers will have to be aged 30 and above, under new plans to raise the minimum age for all public service drivers as Government moves to tackle the rising number of traffic accidents and fatalities, largely attributed to reckless driving.
