Chronicle EditorRumbidzayi Zinyuke Manicaland Bureau
BUSINESS came to a halt at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA)- controlled Road Motor Services (RMS) depot in Mutare last week after truckers blocked a road in protest over poor sanitation and service delivery by the agency.
All fuel tankers coming from Mozambique park at the depot while waiting for Zimra officials to seal their cargo before proceeding to their des- tinations.
For the better part of the day, the tankers’ drivers blocked the only entrance and exit points into the holding bay, demanding that officials from Zimra, the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), which owns the holding bay, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and Mutare City Council officials address them and map the way forward.
In separate interviews, the drivers said they were not happy with the state of the depot, as it was a potential health risk.
More than 100 tankers park at the depot on a daily basis.
“We pay $5 per day for parking as we wait for sealing by Zimra, but they are not providing us with the most basic things needed for us to be safe,” said one of the drivers, Mr Cleopas Kaseke.
“The toilets have not been properly functioning for almost two years and sometimes there is no running water for use in those toilets. We cannot even take a bath in the showers because the water drainage is clogged.”
NRZ public relations manager Mr Nyasha Maravanyika said the truckers were not being honest, as there were ablution facilities and water at the depot.
He said the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) usually cut water supplies in the area, which made the situation unbearable, as there was no alternative supply.
“We are in the process of putting up a water tank for use during those times when there are intermittent water cuts,” said Mr Maravanyika.
He acknowledged receipt of EMA’s complaint over the deplorable state of the depot.
Mr Maravanyika said the depot would be gravelled and paved through their works and building services, adding that they would engage DDF for equipment.
He also urged the truckers to desist from breaking the law by refusing to pay parking fees.
A trucker from Zambia, Mr Brian Habenzu, said there was no safety at the depot in case of a fire outbreak since there was only one entrance and exit point.
The area is surrounded by disused NRZ train wagons, which block any other possible way in and out of the depot.
An official from EMA, who visited the depot, told the truckers that the agency served NRZ with an order to carry out some works to reduce the amount of dust in the depot.
Online Reporter