Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
GOVERNMENT has taken bold steps to resuscitate the motor industry and restore Zimbabwe’s status as a vehicle manufacturing hub, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube has said.
In an interview after touring Quest Motors Manufacturing in Mutare last Friday, Minister Ncube said reviving the industry is a key part of Zimbabwe’s economic transformation agenda.
He said Government has already introduced policies to stimulate local vehicle assembly and create jobs that were lost when the sector faced challenges.
A recent Statutory Instrument (SI) 194 of 2024 suspended customs duty to zero percent on Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) single cab and double cab motor vehicle kits imported or taken out of bonded warehouses by an approved assembler for use in the making of single and double cab motor vehicles.
“In our quest to transform our economy and create new jobs, as Government, we are determined to resuscitate our motor vehicle industry to assemble these vehicles locally. Quest Motors Manufacturing is at the core of that strategy.
In this factory, they can assemble any model, and that is why we have pronounced and legislated that any Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) kits can be brought in duty-free for trucks and buses.
We start from there, and then in the future, we will move on to sedans and other small vehicles. I am really hopeful that this could really take off and start creating jobs here,” he said.
Once a thriving motor vehicle assembly plant, Quest Motors Manufacturing employed over 1 000 workers, most of whom were drawn from Mutare’s oldest high-density suburb, Sakubva.
At its peak, the company supplied the local market with a variety of vehicles, but over the years, it struggled due to the harsh economic environment, lack of investment, and stiff competition from imported used vehicles.
Minister Ncube said the company’s revival is expected to inject life into Manicaland’s economy and restore lost livelihoods.
He said Government remains committed to ensuring that State institutions, local authorities, and private companies prioritise locally assembled vehicles as supporting local industries is central to national economic development and employment creation.
“Supporting local industries is at the core of what we are trying to do. So when we talk of supporting Quest Motors Manufacturing through Government orders for vehicles that are assembled here, that is the kind of support we are talking about. Buying and supporting local players is critical to the resuscitation of our industry, transformation of our economy, as well as growing the job market.”
Also in an interview, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, who accompanied Minister Ncube on the tour, said the revival of Quest Motors Manufacturing is proof that President Mnangagwa’s vision for a modern and industrialised Zimbabwe is taking shape.
He said Government’s intervention in supporting struggling industries is part of a broader plan to create jobs and achieve Vision 2030.
“The economy is on an upward trajectory, and the nation is steadily marching towards Vision 2030, where a prosperous and industrialised Zimbabwe will become a reality. Manicaland’s economy is on the rebound just like any other province in the country. We are very much indebted to the President, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. With the environment that he has created in this country, we have industries that were struggling before but are beginning to come up.
“Quest Motors Manufacturing has been facing challenges, but we are happy that Government has come in through the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion. The company is being revamped because now all Government departments, local authorities, and other private players are encouraged to place orders here. This company has all it takes to supply all models and types of cars, and it is important that it gets support, and that support is coming from Government,” he said.
Quest Motors Manufacturing director, Mr Tarik Adam welcomed Government’s renewed focus on supporting the local vehicle assembly.
He said the company is ready to scale up production once orders start coming in, adding that Zimbabwe should learn from other African countries that have successfully revived their automotive industries.
“We welcome the visit from the Government delegation, and we also welcome the recent Statutory Instrument for SKD. Minister Ncube has given his assurance that we will get support from Government, and so we will now pursue those orders and hope we can get moving again. The Zimbabwe motor vehicle industry can create a lot of employment.
“If you look at Uganda, Kenya, and Ghana, their automotive industries are growing again. So as a country, we should also focus on following the same method that they are doing and create more opportunities in Zimbabwe for this industry.
‘‘With Government backing us, we are poised to reclaim our place as a leading vehicle assembler in the region, providing quality vehicles for local and international markets while creating thousands of jobs,” he said.
Online Reporter