Zupco kombis back on the road

Yvonne Ncube, Chronicle Reporter
Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (Zupco) kombi drivers were yesterday back on the road after ending their job action when they were paid part of their two months’ outstanding salaries.

The Zupco kombi drivers had not been paid their salaries for the past two months and on Wednesday no Zupco kombi in Bulawayo was seen on the road.

The development saw pirate kombis hiking fares from $50 to $60 and in some western suburbs they were demanding US$1 from commuters struggling to find transport.

Drivers staged a sit-in at the Zupco Kelvin North depot and refused to go to work until their salaries reflected in their accounts.

However, yesterday they were back in full force after the franchise paid part of their salaries.

According to a Zupco kombi driver, who spoke on condition of anonymity, management promised to pay the remaining salary arrears by Tuesday next week.

“Although we received part of our salaries, we have agreed to resume operations so that they see that our plight is not out of negligence but out of dire need. I was happy to see the message for money transfer at 6am today (yesterday). I am grateful that the six-to-six demonstration was impactful and relayed a message of our plight to management,” said the driver.

Chronicle could not get a comment from Zupco chief executive officer Evaristo Madangwa as his phone was not being answered.

However, representatives from the management who spoke to the demonstrating workers on Wednesday pledged that workers will receive their salaries.