Commuter omnibus crews have spent the past 42 days under a
coronavirus-induced lockdown, which has wiped off their incomes and stolen
their livelihoods.
Although the lockdown regulations were relaxed recently,
private transport operators have not been allowed to resume operations for fear
that they could be vehicles through which the virus spreads.
Only the State-controlled Zimbabwe United Passenger Company
(Zupco) is currently allowed to provide public transport services. However, Government will provide a helping hand this week,
through a cushioning package for those that have been prejudiced.
“As I speak, we are finalising the process of cleaning up
data of targeted beneficiaries. Part of the money will be disbursed next week
(this week) to this vulnerable group and others,” said Public Service, Labour
and Social Welfare Permanent Secretary Mr Simon Masanga.
“Due to the lockdown, the process has been a bit slow since
we cannot gather recipients in bulk for verification processes. However, we are
treating this as a matter of urgency.”
The list of beneficiaries was compiled by the Zimbabwe
Union of Drivers and Conductors (Zudac), which represents interests of more
than 50 000 registered commuter omnibus drivers, conductors and rank marshals.
The packages — meant to mitigate the impact of the lockdown
— are being hewn from a $600 million kitty set aside by Government to cover
vulnerable households under a cash transfer programme for the next three
months.
An estimated $200 million will be disbursed each month. However, the exact amount to be received by each
beneficiary could not be established.
“Verification is being done in consultation with their
representatives.
“We approached Treasury with an appeal for an increase of the amount of money that beneficiaries will get; thus,
we are unable to give you the exact figures each individual gets,” added Mr
Masanga.
‘Everyone gets something’ For commuter omnibus crews, the reassuring gesture is
welcome.
Zudac president Mr Fradrick Maguramhinga indicated that
they would ensure “everyone gets something”.
“For the initial batch, we forwarded 5 000 names drawn from
across the country. Our provincial offices are currently in the process of
compiling more names.
“The process will be done in phases until everyone gets
something,” he said.
Statistics from the Central Vehicle Registry show that
there are more than 12 000 registered commuter omnibus crews in Harare alone.
It is believed that there is almost an equal number of
unregistered operators.
“With an average commuter omnibus crew of three people,
this translates to a lot of people directly or indirectly benefiting from this
cushioning allowance,” observed Mr Maguramhinga.
Even before the lockdown, private transport operators were
already reeling from lost business owing to Zupco’s resurgence.
A lot of people, who include commuter omnibus drivers,
conductors and rank marshals, used to feed off operations of public
transporters. But they are currently singing the blues.
True to habit, most of those who have been affected
continue to mill around erstwhile pick-up and drop-off points in high-density
suburbs.
There are also those who are pushing the envelope to resume
operations, albeit on a small-scale.
“We have families to feed so I cannot afford to stay home. “I have to do this to survive,” said one commuter omnibus
driver before speeding off as a police vehicle on patrol was closing in along
the City-Mbare route.
Other groups of touts are now frequenting the Central
Business District (CBD) in search of alternative sources of income.
“Life is virtually at a standstill. I have nothing else I
can do besides touting. I do not have any form of qualification,” said
Kudakwashe Matimbe, who previously operated at Market Square bus terminus.
The Passenger Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) claims that
Government’s unprecedented intervention to rescue private operators’ employees
was commendable.
Although the latest move will help private transport
operators get by, there are real fears in the industry that they might be
phased out as investments in mass public transport system continues to rise.
Some operators are increasingly being incorporated through
the Zupco franchise. Sunday Mail
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