dyton mupawaenda
Latwell Nyangu
A WILD West scenario, where rules are flouted with impunity, unrealistic targets are set for drivers forcing them to break all the rules in pursuit of money and an environment where there is no respect for the value of human life has become part of everyday life in the world of kombis in this country.
Yesterday, a rush hour kombi crash resulted in the death of seven people in Kuwadzana in Harare.
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development chairperson, Knowledge Kaitano, has blamed the attitude of drivers as a major contributory factor of accidents as many of them will be trying to meet targets set by their bosses.
Most of the drivers are tasked to remit US$100 per day amounting to US$3000 per month, which is forcing the drivers to drive recklessly, ignoring traffic lights and even driving in the opposite lane.
Speaking during ZTN Prime’s The Chase, Kaitano said there is a need to change the attitude of the drivers.
The panel had national police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, Samson Nanhanga and Godfrey Chataika, the acting spokesperson of the Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ).
“How can a transporter put buses which are not road worthy, how do they employ inexperienced drivers who are excited, they should make sure the culture of responsibility must be inculcated.
“We can’t blame passengers, because these drivers are moving fast to get to the target.
“Like, for example, they are asked to submit US$100 per day amounting to US$3000 per month.
“Drivers are throwing away safety rules, even the Highway Code. We see drivers driving unroadworthy vehicles.”
Nanhanga also blamed the targets.
“Drivers have to reach targets and it has become a challenge for them to be responsible as they are expected to reach a target yemota yaanenge achifamba nayo.
“In that quest, they end up driving recklessly so that they beat the target.
“Vanenge vakungopinda pama red robots.
“There should be a law which should allow kuti wese apinda red robot, ngaavharirwe mukati.
“These targets are causing a lot of accidents,” he said.
Commissioner Nyathi said:
“In terms of the country’s laws, any Zimbabwean who is between the age of 21 to 60, and sees any criminal act, they have the right to arrest the suspect and take them to the police.
“Anyone who is driving dangerously, action will be taken, those driving on imaginary lanes, one way, soon we will be publicising and black-listing the list of the cars and drivers.
“The laws are there but some laws need to be tightened, for example, the depositing of fines.
“Some are no longer afraid of paying these fines and we have engaged the Judicial Service Commission over these fines.
“We are also challenging our legislators here.”
Commissioner Nyathi challenged the passengers to be proactive.
“I want to challenge the passengers because we also have passengers who board vehicles which are packed.
“Kunzi garai paKadoma, as well as people who wait at undesignated points, which will then end up in cat-and-mouse chasing with the police.”
Chataika said:
“The biggest problem is the attitude of drivers. I was surprised a few weeks ago, I was in China and we wanted to procure electric buses.
“But the suppliers even said that Zimbabwe is not one of the best destinations for electric buses due to the number of accidents.
“No one respects the law and every day people are dying. It might not be you. It’s the pedestrians, it’s the cyclists, it’s whoever.
“So, something is to be done very urgently.”
Online Reporter