VID to introduce night shifts

Zimbabwe's Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) is set to introduce night shifts and operate around the clock to curb overloaded heavy-duty trucks that are allegedly travelling after dark to evade road checkpoints.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona announced the measures during a question-and-answer session in the Senate, saying the Government had been forced to change its enforcement strategy after some transporters began exploiting gaps in the inspection system.

Mhona said mining companies were among the major offenders, with some allegedly moving heavy loads at night to avoid conventional checkpoints.

"He has raised a very pertinent question about the overloads, trucks damaging our roads, which is again an appeal, especially to the mining communities," Mhona said.

"Instead of complying, some of the mining companies have resorted to travelling at midnight so that they avoid our usual checkpoints."

The minister said the VID would respond by deploying officers in shifts to ensure that roads were monitored throughout the day and night.

"We have upped our game again in the Ministry, where we are also going to be having shifts for our VID officers so that we man our roads 24/7," he said.

The Government has increasingly raised concern over overloaded trucks, which authorities say are contributing to the deterioration of Zimbabwe's road network.

Mhona said compliance with prescribed load limits remained the preferred approach and urged transporters to adhere to regulations rather than seeking ways around enforcement.

"This is contrary to the good practice, Mr President Sir, where we anticipate and expect transporters to comply with the required quantities whenever they use our roads," he said.

However, the minister said Government was also looking at a longer-term solution to reduce pressure on the road network, particularly from the mining sector.

He said mining companies would ultimately be required to move their bulk cargo by rail rather than relying heavily on roads.

"The ideal and long-term solution is that we are going to mandate those trucks, especially those mining companies, so that they transport their goods through the railway line," Mhona said.

The proposed 24-hour VID operation is expected to close the loophole created by night-time movement of overloaded trucks, while the planned shift towards rail freight could reduce the strain placed on the country's road infrastructure by heavy mining-related traffic.