Police in Manicaland province have raised concern over the Manicaland Drivers Transporters Association (MDTA), which is allegedly registering unroadworthy vehicles under its ambit.
Manicaland police, the operations department, Mutare City Council, transport associations, operators and other stakeholders this week held a meeting in Mutare to discuss the city’s transport situation.
Mutare City Council was represented by director of spatial operations, Tonderai Sango.
During the meeting, Zanu PF central committee member Esau Mupfumi requested police to grant some operators a one-month grace period to resolve their challenges.
Stakeholders at the same meeting also raised concerns about MDTA.
The association came under fire for pegging its joining fee at US$230 for operators to register under its banner.
Tawanda Machira, a commuter omnibus operator in Mutare, blasted MDTA, accusing it of taking passengers and residents for granted.
“The association is taking us for granted. MDTA is charging us US$230 as a joining fee,” he said.
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“They put stickers on your vehicle, yet at the same time they are registering unroadworthy vehicles because they need money.
“They are putting passengers’ lives at risk.”
Passengers Association of Zimbabwe chairman Tafadzwa Goliath said commuters were not being protected.
“Passengers are not being protected. I think the government needs to invest in public transportation to decongest our cities, though this can be addressed gradually,” he said.
“We are educating passengers on their rights in the event of an accident. It’s a vicious cycle.”
United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust programmes director Edson Dube said fatalities were rising in the Eastern Highlands city.
“People are dying every week on Christmas Pass and other major roads due to mshikashika and other unauthorised, unroadworthy vehicles,” Dube said.
Manicaland acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said there is an ongoing operation targeting unroadworthy vehicles and those flouting transport regulations.
“We are specifically targeting associations, and there is also an operation against unroadworthy public service vehicles,” he said.
“We are checking certificates of fitness issued by the Vehicle Inspectorate Department, passenger insurance and other requirements. This will help in the event of a road accident.”
MDTA chairman Edson Mudzimiri said the association was aware of efforts to tarnish its image.
“We know the people who have sent you,” he said.
“They want to tarnish our image. God is for us all. You can come to our office and we will show you our records.”
