Staff Writer
Passenger Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) has noted with great concern rife practice of non-adherence to public service road rules and regulations by some kombi operators in Kwekwe.
In a statement Tuesday PAZ said it witnessed that most commuter omnibuses were not registered as seen by yellow registration plates on them.
“Automatically this means that these vehicles have no passenger liability cover to compensate their passengers and cater for medical attention in the wake of a road traffic accident.
“Worse is that some of the privately registered vehicles ferrying passengers at both illegal and designated pick-up points appear to have no insurance cover at all since no insurance discs will be displayed at the windscreens as required,” said Tafadzwa Goliati, PAZ national coordinator.
“Unfortunately, this anomaly further strains the public health system in the event of road traffic accidents including on emergency reaction services such as ambulances and fire brigades while suffocating government coffers.”
He said Paz appealed to Kwekwe City Fathers and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to rectify the situation at once.
“We also call on these operators to be compliant. The public is also recommended to opt for public service vehicles that have red and white registration plates for accident road cover, risk and property security especially in the wake of passenger robberies in these vehicles,” he said.
Government, PAZ said, should continue ensuring availability of a secure and reliable public transport system in the whole country.
“Commuter omnibuses in Kwekwe that are registered actually don’t walk the talk as it proved that they don’t have passengers’ liability cover schemes and route permits.
“However, Paz in its vision for a safe and reliable public transport system in the country is grateful to growing unity of purpose by stakeholders that include Insurance Council of Zimbabwe (ICZ), Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police among others,” he said.
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