by Christopher Makaza
Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (ZUPCO)-franchised private bus transport operators have urged law enforcers to arrest all buses and kombis operators who are illegally operating as they are disadvantaging them.
Recently, government reiterated that private kombis were banned from operating unless they register with ZUPCO. However, the relaxation of lockdown rules saw the number of private kombis operating illegally in urban areas.
There is fear that such illegal operations might fuel the spread of the deadly virus as these operators are disregarding COVID-19 laid down protective regulations.
Mr Tichaona Jokonya, a ZUPCO-franchised bus operator complained to this publication that the illegal transport operators were subjecting them to unfair competition.
“These illegal operators are getting our customers, by the end of the day it is the registered operator who suffers. We are, therefore, appealing to the Government to protect us by banning them. Besides, these illegal operators are not observing the COVID-19 protective measures, thereby risking the lives of passengers,” he said.
He added: “We are also appealing to the responsible authorities to increase our daily rates so that we are to meet our daily expenses and sustain our business.”
From September 2020, the Treasury increased daily rates paid to franchised bus and kombi operators to ZWL$18 000 and ZWL$4000 from ZWL$7 500 and ZWL$2000 per day respectively.
The illegal transport operators including the pirate taxis commonly known as mushikashika, are posing a risk to people when they play cat and mouse game with the law enforcers as they try to evade arrest. Recently, a police officer was run over by a Mitsubishi canter driver who was pirating along Simon Mazorodze Street. According to ZRP officials, the motorist was picking up passengers in the middle of the road. When the police officer approached the driver, he ran over him resulting in his instant death.
Government continues to strongly advise the private operators and the public that urban transport services for commuters, is restricted to those provided by ZUPCO as provided for in Section 2(a) of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020, Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order 2020. This is a Health-induced Transport Strategy that is meant to ensure that the further spread of COVID-19 is contained.
Regarding the issue of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, it should be known that the country is not yet out of the woods. Cases of COVID-19 continue to rise. As at 18 November 2020, the country had 8 981 confirmed cases including 8 184 recoveries and 261 deaths compared to the previous week, which had 8 667 confirmed cases including 8046 recoveries and 255 deaths.
Businesses like bars are also strongly warned not to operate against COVID-19 lockdown measures, which are meant to protect citizens.
