Ex-Jap road killers banned

Prosper Ndlovu and Vimbai Chinembiri
POLICE moved yesterday to ban, with immediate effect, ex-Japanese people carriers such as Toyota Granvia, Noah, Elgrande and Ipsum from the public transport system.
The move came after a series of deadly accidents involving ex-Japanese cars on the country’s roads.
At the weekend, six people were killed when a Granvia crashed along the Bulawayo-Plumtree road.

Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi told Chronicle yesterday: “From the onset, as the Zimbabwe Republic Police we have always maintained that pirate taxis are not allowed to ply the country’s highways.

“Granvias, Ipsums and Noah vehicles – whether they are licensed or not – are not suitable for public transport.
“I want to warn all those operators that the long arm of the law will take its course. Whoever is caught transporting members of the public will be arrested as you are aware that these vehicles have put the lives of people at risk.”

Transport Minister Dr Obert Mpofu said he was aware of growing public concerns over the dangers of using such vehicles for public transport.

“Of course there are complaints over the use of such vehicles, but I have not been informed of any directive to ban them. That is for the police to deal with,” said Dr Mpofu.

Mr Strike Ndlovu who chairs the Bulawayo Public Transporters Association claimed the ex-Japanese vehicles were the single major cause of deaths on the country’s highways over the last year.

“These vehicles are not supposed to carry people because whenever they are involved in an accident, it is always fatal. These vehicles have high speed and those who want to use them for business should carry bread not people,” said Mr Ndlovu.

Professional Drivers Association head Mr Albert Sibanda weighed in saying drivers of such vehicles must be educated on how to transport members of the public.

“It is true that they have been involved in many accidents but banning them is a bit harsh considering the state of our economy. We will have more unemployed people and criminals.

“What we need to do is to enforce the law and educate them on how to operate these vehicles. The problem is the behaviour of the driver and not the vehicles,” said Mr Sibanda.