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THERE’S always that car brand associated with notorious drivers on the road in almost every country, for example in Russia the BMW is associated with gangsters because of the lifestyle portrayed in that country’s movies in the 1990s.
But back home it’s the Honda Fit and Toyota Wish because they are the most revered by illegal transport operators known as mushikashika. Many of these drivers don’t respect the Highway Code and many accidents have been blamed on them.
As such, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) is embarking on a campaign to have the Government ban these cars as Public Service Vehicles (PSV).
The organisation’s spokesperson told B-Metro that the cars are being abused.
The TSCZ communications manager Tatenda Chinoda spoke to B-Metro saying their department had organised a campaign to ban mushikashika and the Toyota Wish as mode of public transport.
“They are meant to be family cars. The owners overload these vehicles with passengers and goods and as for the Toyota Wish operators speed, worse the car itself is not balanced, and so prone to accidents,” said Chinoda.
Illegal operators prefer the cars because they are fuel savers and unlike commuter omnibuses one does not have to wait for at least 10 passengers to embark on a trip.
“I don’t have to wait for anyone for my trip. If I was driving a kombi I wouldn’t embark on a trip with less than 10 passengers, thus for these kind of cars, all I need is four people,” said a mushikashika driver.
He added that despite being outlaws they have their own association.
“We share routes although there are running battles with the police and kombi operators. Our wish is to be accepted,” he added.
A Toyota Wish lands in Zimbabwe for less than $5 000 and a Honda Fit just above $4 000. A legitimate commuter omnibus lands at $8 000 at least, which most say is beyond their reach.
But the two cars are popular with passengers who say they are always on the go and have no time to wait.
“I prefer hiking because I arrive at my destination faster than having to use a bus,” said Talent Chindoroma.
One Kudakwashe Mapinda shared similar sentiments.
“Things are tough in Zimbabwe and as a parent you try to save as much as you can. I hike because the bus charges double the amount. Hiking from Bulawayo to Harare is $10 and they even accept EcoCash but if you go to luxury coaches they charge close to $30,00 and they want it in cash,” he said.
Online Reporter