Mutare gives Kombi operators 2-week deadline to comply

Authorities in Mutare have issued a two-week ultimatum to commuter omnibus operators to regularise their operations or face penalties, as part of efforts to restore order in the city's public transport sector.

The directive follows a stakeholders' meeting involving officials from the Transport and Infrastructural Development ministry, Mutare City Council and the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, among others.

Mutare City Council director for spatial operations Tonderai Sango said operators must ensure they possess all required documentation before using the city's roads.

These include a valid vehicle fitness certificate, passenger insurance, route authority, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority tax clearance and an operator's licence.

"We met as stakeholders and we agreed to have operators of public service vehicles comply within two weeks or else the vehicles are going to be impounded," said Sango.

He added that the city is working to formalise the sector by registering operators under recognised transport associations, in collaboration with the Transport ministry, the Vehicle Inspectorate Department and the police.

"We have recognised associations in place to register transporters and will oversee the registration process, ensuring that operators meet the required standards," he said.

Authorities are also reviewing bus stop locations to designate safe and approved loading and unloading points, aimed at reducing congestion and protecting both passengers and operators.

Mutare currently has four registered transport associations: Urban League, Family Trust, Manicaland Drivers and Transporters Association, and Scuta.

Meanwhile, police say enforcement operations are already underway. Manicaland acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed that more than 200 public service vehicles have been impounded for various traffic offences since last month.

"There is also an ongoing operation since last month and we have impounded more than 200 public service vehicles," he said.

The clampdown comes amid growing concern over the rise of unregistered operators, reckless driving and unsafe vehicles, which authorities say pose a serious risk to public safety.