Government lifts ban on transport operators

TRANSPORT minister Felix Mhona has lifted suspension of the operating licences for all omnibuses belonging to three operators Blue Circle, City Bus and Simlex Coaches with effect from June 03, 2024.

The operators breached the terms and conditions of the licences issued to them leading to fatal road traffic crashes that occurred in March this year, in Western Cape, South Africa and in Beitbridge respectively.

“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development wishes to advise members of the public that it has lifted the suspensions of the licences for operation of all omnibuses belonging to Swaymo Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd T/A Blue Circle, Wipeco Investments (Pvt) Ltd T/A City Bus and Simlex Coaches (Pvt) Ltd with effect from 3 June 2024.

Felix Mhona, Transport Minister

“The operators breached the terms and conditions of their operating licences by operating public service vehicles without valid motor and passenger insurances, certificates of roadworthiness, road service permits, installed speed monitoring and limiting devices and employing drivers without the requisite competences to drive buses,” Mhona said.

Mhona added that bus operators will be placed on a compliance monitoring programme so as to continuously assess whether they are adhering to the regulatory requirements.

“This programme will also be extended to all operators which are found violating the terms and conditions of their operating licences. As such, the Ministry will monitor the compliance of all transport operators using the existing ICT tools so that regulatory violations are recorded on real-time as vehicles pass through the country’s Road Tolling Points.

“Following investigations by authorities and subsequent compliance processes undertaken by the operators in terms of the provisions of the Road Traffic Act [Chapter 13:11], and the Road Motor Transportation Act [Chapter 13:15], the Commissioner has lifted the suspension and the Ministry wishes to advise members of the public and law enforcement agencies of such a development,” he said.

He further highlighted that his ministry strongly condemns the recent acts of public violence at bus loading bays and ranks.

“Such actions severely impact on the safety and security of commuters, bus crews and members of the public, especially children, women and persons with disabilities. The Ministry has engaged law enforcement agencies and executive members of the self-regulatory Operators’ Associations to be more alert and vigilant to ensure the security and safety of our commuting public.

“To prevent traffic deaths and injuries, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department will be participating in joint enforcement operations throughout the country. Our Traffic Safety Council will also undertake road safety awareness campaigns to persuade road users to make their own contribution towards roads safety.

“Members of the public are encouraged to report any concerns relating to the provision of road transport services by any transport operator to the country’s traffic law enforcement agents and to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development. Together we have a collective responsibility to improve the country’s road safety performance and overcome the challenges in the road transport sector in line with targets in our NDS1 as we seek to achieve Vision 2030,” added Mhona.