The Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) has moved to
ensure passenger safety by withdrawing at least 42 franchised buses and
commuter omnibuses that failed fitness tests.
The buses will stay off the road until repaired. There has
been a public outcry over some Zupco contracted buses with worn tyres and
experiencing mechanical faults.
Zupco is operating with 501 conventional buses, which
include its own brand new fleet and those using its franchise, plus at least
470 kombis on contract countrywide.
When Zupco contracts buses or kombis from private owners,
the firm demands fitness certificates from the Vehicle Inspection Department
(VID) which must be renewed every six months.
The buses must also have passenger and vehicle insurance. Zupco acting chief executive Mr Evaristo Madangwa yesterday
said Zupco would continuously check all vehicles under its ambit.
“All our buses should be compliant with VID requirements,”
he said. “Some of the defective buses are being pulled out until they are
attended to. The purpose of removing unroadworthy vehicles is that we want to
ensure maximum safety of our passengers.”
The VID can inspect vehicles at road check point or at its
depots.
“Inspections at the road check normally cover only those
systems where a defect is likely to make sudden reduction or cease the
possibilities to control the vehicle safely,” according to VID rules.
“The following are normally checked: steering system,
suspension, braking system, wheels and tyres, trailer coupling (if applicable)
and lighting system, vehicle and driver documents to ensure compliance with the
law.
“Inspections at the depots will cover all the components of
the vehicle, as well as the under-carriage so as to ensure that the vehicle is
safe for use on the roads.
“A certificate of fitness is issued to a vehicle that meets
all the requirements in terms of roadworthiness and the purpose for which the
vehicle is designed to serve, particularly the Public Service Vehicle.
“In the case of private vehicles, a certificate of
roadworthiness will be issued upon satisfactorily meeting all the requirements
of construction, equipment and use.”
Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe acting board chairman Dr
Gift Machengete said all vehicles on the road should have certificate of
fitness.
“Most roads are not in good condition and motorists should
respect each other,” he said. “Those responsible for infrastructure development
should make sure that the roads are repaired.
“Drivers should be cautious at all times and drive within
speed limits to avoid accidents. Public transport owners should avoid giving
drivers targets as this also contributes to accidents because they end up
speeding.”
Dr Machengete discouraged motorists from drinking and
driving.
A vehicle that was yesterday involved in accident that
claimed five on spot at the intersection of Borrowdale Road and Harare Drive
did not have a valid road licence, displaying a licence that expired in March.
Police implored motorists to observe all traffic laws and
regulations as they travel.
“Drivers should check the roadworthiness of their vehicles
before embarking on journeys,” said national police spokesperson Assistant
Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.
“Police will not hesitate to impound all defective and
unroadworthy vehicles besides arresting all those who flout the rules of the
road.”
Speaking on SABC news channel yesterday, South Africa
Minister of Transport Mr Fikile Mbalula said they had impounded an unroadworthy
Zimbabwean vehicle that was driving into South Africa.
“We have impounded a vehicle which had no brakes, driving
all the way from Harare crossing the border right into South Africa,” he said.
“We arrested the driver just before Pretoria and he was
transporting children who did not have any legal travel documents.”
Minister Mbalula said they needed to work together with
their Zimbabwean counterparts to intensify spot checks on vehicles. Herald
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