Duty-free bus imports exceed 1 500

Harare Bureau

BUS operators have commended the Government for the one-year grace period that allowed them to import buses duty-free, resulting in the importation of over 1 500 buses.

This follows the Government’s announcement that it will end the temporary suspension of customs duty on imported public service buses from January 1, 2025.

Introduced in 2022, the facility enabled approved transport operators to replenish their fleets.

The importation of buses exceeded the initial target of 500, with 200 more expected to arrive before the end of the festive season.

In an interview with our Harare Bureau, Zimbabwe Passengers Transport Organisation chairman, Dr Samson Nhanhanga, commended the Second Republic saying the market now has enough buses to satisfy the transport requirements countrywide.

“After the duty-free facility for buses was announced, we purchased more than 1 500 buses. Right now, we are expecting another batch of 200 new buses to arrive this festive season,” he said.

“Our initial target was 500 buses, but we have tripled that target. Going forward, we have enough buses for the next three years,” Dr Nhanhanga added.

He was also optimistic that the Government’s decision to lift customs duty on Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) kits for buses and trucks will help empower the local industry.

“The Government’s call to cut the import bill and empower the local bus manufacturing industry is a good move. The development will create jobs for locals and save foreign currency that we have been using to procure buses from China.

“What is needed now is for everyone to work towards empowering and adding value to the bus manufacturing sector,” he said.

Dr Nhanhanga said they were ready to meet the demand this festive season and continue encouraging safe driving.

“As bus operators, we are ready to ferry people to and from their destinations. We have engaged the Traffic Safety Council for awareness campaigns to reduce road carnage,” he said.

“We are advocating for accident-free holidays and constantly teaching our crews the importance of avoiding accidents at all costs,” Dr Nhanhanga said.

In his 2025 budget, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube stated that the Government is redirecting resources to boost local vehicle assembly, identified as a priority under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

The move aims to enhance local value chains, create jobs, and position the industry for export opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, which requires a minimum of 35 percent local content for value-added goods.