Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
Transport operators and motorists have applauded the latest decision by the Government to slash a range of fees and charges, including license fees, vehicle levies, and penalties.
The move has been described as a major step toward creating a more business-friendly environment and improving compliance within the sector.
The new measures announced during Tuesday’s Cabinet media briefing include a slash in the cost of vehicle number plates, a review of various licenses and permits, and a 50 percent reduction in vehicle clamping and towing penalties.
In an interview on Wednesday, Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation chairperson Samson Nhanhanga said: “This is a welcome development by the Government to slash the levies since they had been taking a toll on us.
“It will allow us to import more buses to meet the demand and improve our transport system.”
He also took the opportunity to plead with the Government to reintroduce free duty on all buses.
“This is something that has been tried and tested before. If the Government reintroduces duty-free status on buses that we import from China and South Africa, we will be able to import more buses,” he said.
“Duty on buses is heavy on us. If the duty is scrapped, we can also provide enough transport to the public.”
This also comes at a time when unregistered commuter omnibus (kombi) operators have been complaining that their failure to register was due to what they described as prohibitively high licensing fees.
“I think licensing fees should be immediately reviewed, and you will see that a number of kombis will register. Currently, you need nearly US$1 000 just to complete the paperwork,” said Willard Mandere, a kombi owner from Budiriro.
“If you look, some kombis are operating without number plates. Such lawlessness was being caused by the high fees, so I think this is also a welcome move.”
A car dealer who only identified himself as Tindo said the majority of people were buying vehicles without changing ownership.
“I think the government was losing significant revenue because people were no longer changing car ownership; they would just make an agreement of sale. If the fees are slashed, people will change that habit. We also welcome the scrapping of number plates to US$50; it’s quite reasonable.”
Motorists also welcomed the halving of clamping and towing charges.
“Honestly, these fees were quite exorbitant,” said Mr Tawanda Nyangu, whose vehicle was recently clamped.
“If some of these penalties are reviewed, it would be good for us.”
The Government is set to systematically move, sector by sector, doing the needful until all predatory charges and licenses which impede the ease-of-doing business are reduced.
