Tighter laws on kombis loom

Government will tighten regulations and amend the Road Motor Transportation Act to bar people below the age of 30 from driving public service vehicles.

This comes after 10 people were killed, seven of them on the spot, when a Chitungwiza-bound kombi veered off the road and rammed a tree just after Trek Service Station along Seke Road on Monday morning.

Four of the deceased were buried yesterday at their rural homes.

In an interview, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu said Government was concerned by the carnage and wanted stiffer measures for transport operators.

"The view by Government, especially the ministry, is that people below a certain age should not be allowed to drive public service vehicles. We have realised that most accidents are caused by drivers who are below 30 years.

"We will be coming up with an amendment to our Road Motor Transportation Act (Chapter 13:10) that will ensure that drivers below the required age should not be exposed to public service vehicles," he said.

Presently, the Road Motor Transportation Act says public service vehicle drivers should be above the age of 25, should have a certificate of re-test and defensive driving, and medical endorsement.

A kombi should have an operator's licence, certificate of fitness, route authority, passenger insurance and a current licence disc, among other things.

Dr Mpofu said he would soon meet operators.

"We want to read the riot act to them as to the conduct of their employees with regards to their operations on our roads," Dr Mpofu said.

Musiiwa Chanengeta (28), the driver of the kombi that killed 10 people, did not meet statutory specifications to drive a public transport vehicle and the kombi was also not properly documented.

The owner of the kombi, Mr Fortune Ganha, could face criminal charges related to this.

Relatives, church congregants, workmates and sympathisers converged to pay their last respects to some of the deceased yesterday.

A spokesperson for the family of the deceased driver, Mr Pharaoh Mupandaguta, said Chanengeta was buried at Chiyangwa Village under Chief Zvimba.

Mrs Itai Zingunde, aunt to the late Mrs Violet Taruvinga (40) of Chitungwiza, said her niece was buried at Dzumbunu Village under Chief Nyamweda in Mhondoro.

Brother to the late Reuben Chikafu (38) of Zengeza 1, Mr Adam Chikafu, said his brother was buried at Masvingo Village under Chief Nyashanu in Buhera; while Mr Shepherd Chipunza, the late Award Chipunza's uncle, said his nephew was interred at their rural homestead in Mudzi.

Nelson Matambo (84) of Zengeza 3, Menus Chinyoka (64) of St Marys, Tendai Ncube (32) of Zengeza 5 and Forward Chikondowa will be buried today.

Grace Gomani (29) and her daughter Judith Chari (7) will be buried side-by-side today in Epworth.

The two died as Gomani was taking her daughter to Chitungwiza Provincial Hospital for a medical check-up.

Family spokesperson Mr Marubi Chari suggested that Government erect speed humps along the busy road to control drivers.

Unidentified survivors are recuperating at Parirenyatwa Hospital, while some were discharged to their homes yesterday.

One of the survivors, Mr Lawrence Manomano (21) of Zengeza 4, said he was discharged on Tuesday and was recovering at home.

"I was on my way from the city centre to buy wares that I sell at my hardware shop in Zengeza 2 and the driver didn't take heed of our advice that he was speeding," he said.

"He attempted to overtake, which resulted in the accident and I passed out.

"My body is still in pain and I have to be supported when walking. I am confused because my shoes, wares and watch went missing after the accident."