Outcry over ex- Jap carriers ban

THE move by police to ban ex-Japanese vehicles from being used for public transport has sparked an outcry from players in the sector.

Last week Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi threw a bombshell when he said ex-Japanese cars such as Toyota Granvia, Noah, Ipsum and Elgrande should with immediate effect stop being used as public transport.

The move came after a series of fatal accidents involving such vehicle models.

However, this has sparked an uproar with operators fearing losing their only source of income and livelihood.

In Bulawayo, players in the sector said police should review their decision as the "consequences were too ghastly to contemplate".

"We would like to appeal to the police to review their decision. Of course it's true that there are some accidents involving ex-Japanese cars taking place. But I think the police and transport players should sit down and find a solution rather than completely banning the vehicles," said Lungile Sithole, who owns three Toyota Granvia and a Noah vehicle that ply various routes in Matabeleland.

"We don't believe the causes of accidents in the highways are due to the ex-Japanese cars but to a plethora of reasons. Our roads are bad and this is contributing to a lot of accidents."

Professional Drivers Association head Albert Sibanda said vehicles owners must be educated on how to transport members of the public.

"We need to enforce the law and educate them on how to operate these vehicles.

"The problem is the behaviour of the driver and not the vehicles," said Sibanda.

However some people interviewed by The Standard were in full support of the police decision.

They said ex-Japanese vehicles should be banned from plying the country's highways as they were infamous for by breaking traffic regulations.

"They should be off the road because the drivers are always speeding. Again most of the vehicles are un-roadworthy and resulting in many accidents," said Thandeka Sibindi from Bulawayo's Nketa suburb.

She added that the vehicles were normally overloaded, with some of them not fit to be on the road.

Recently six people were killed when a Granvia crashed along the Bulawayo-Plumtree road.

There have been also complaints from commuting public about the unruly touts that usually work with the ex-Japanese vehicles owners.

The touts are known for their foul-mouthed way with which they treat their customers.

Some people also called for the revival of ZUPCO.

ZUPCO used to dominate the local transport industry and was credited for being professional but is now largely grounded due to alleged mismanagement.