AUTHORITIES in the eastern border town of Mutare have issued a two-week ultimatum for commuter omnibus operators to ensure they possess all operating documents before using the city’s roads.
The directive follows a recent stakeholders’ meeting attended by officials from the Transport and Infrastructural Development ministry, Mutare City Council and the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, among others.
The move is part of a broader effort by authorities to restore order in the city’s public transport sector, improve passenger safety and curb the growing number of illegal operators.
Mutare City Council director for spatial operations Tonderai Sango said commuter omnibus operators should possess key documents, including a vehicle fitness certificate, passenger insurance, route authority, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority tax clearance and an operator’s licence.
Failure to comply within the two-week deadline will result in vehicles being impounded and operators facing heavy fines.
“We met as stakeholders and we agreed to have operators of public service vehicles comply within two weeks or else the vehicles are going to be impounded,” he said.
Sango added that the city was in the process of registering transport operators under recognised associations, bringing together stakeholders such as the Transport ministry, the Vehicle Inspectorate Department and the police.
“We have recognised associations in place to register transporters and will oversee the registration process, ensuring that operators meet the required standards.”
- Corruption watch: Quarry dust is choking Mutare
- Corruption watch: Quarry dust is choking Mutare
- Dorcas Moyo UK-bound
- Govt admits letting down new settlements
Keep Reading
He said authorities were also reviewing bus stop locations and working to designate safe loading and unloading points where operators can pick up and drop passengers without fear of arrest.
Mutare has four registered transport associations: Urban League, Family Trust, Manicaland Drivers and Transporters Association and Scuta.
Manicaland acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said law enforcement agents impounded more than 200 public service vehicles for various traffic offences during an ongoing operation that began last month.
“There is also an ongoing operation since last month and we have impounded more than 200 public service vehicles,” he said.
