News / National
MP calls for ban of retread tyres
16 Mar 2016 at 05:47hrs | Views
An MP for Pelandaba Mpopoma Joseph Tshuma has called for the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development headed by Jorum Gumbo to institute a ban on retreaded tyres claiming they were the cause of road carnage in the country.
Tshuma said his point was on the other aspects that I have not heard being touched, the aspect of tyres.
"Most of these bus owners are trying to be economic and are buying retreads. Retreads are not good for public transport. So, I think that the Ministry must come up with a policy to ban retreads, especially for public vehicles. They must use original tyres because as long as it is retreads, we are not going to solve this. As we hear, it was a tyre burst," Tshuna said. "The car might be in good condition but that tyre burst can cause accidents. If you go on the highway, look at how many pieces of tyres you see. It is because even the huge trucks use retreads. Please, let us ban retreads. They are going to keep on killing our people."
Minister Gumbo said the Chairman of the Committee, Dexter Nduna talked about the country having been able to collect a lot of money from around 571 000 cars.
"Unfortunately, we only collected US$224 000 or we collect approximately $2.6 million," Gumbo said. "That is what we can only account for. It is difficult for us to collect money because the people have to remit the money through their own volition. We do not force them to pay. There is no mechanism of forcing them to pay, like what Hon. Maridadi did say. It is a question that I think maybe we need to look at as legislators as how we can force people to pay the money."
Gumbo said the collection is rather done by those who are honest and who feel the responsibility of being responsible enough to pay the money.
"This is why I have said we are coming up with a proposal whereby we are going to link up ZINARA, CVR and insurance companies together so that we do away with fake licences. Most of the cars the Hon. Chair talked about, are going around with fake licences. I was arrested at one time at a road block for using a fake licence. I asked one of my guys to go and pay at ZINARA. When he got to ZINARA, he was mobbed by guys who said this is ZINARA so we can give you a licence," he said. "He paid and we put that fake thing on the car. I thought all was fine but this is what is happening and this is what we are trying to curb through this proposal in order to make sure that we collect enough money that we can use to compensate our people."
Gumbo said it can only be done through the Road Fund and they are proposing that they come up with a proper way of alleviating this burden from our people and Government.
"You must know that after the accident, Government declared it a national disaster and it is Government again paying. It means it is you again paying. So, if we do it through a fund, it would be easier for all of us and we can make sure that we can assist our own people," he said.
"Yes, we are making the comparative study and that is why I talked about South Africa. They are actually having a problem because they started this thing but it is also giving them problems. From what they have experienced, we are trying to come up with a modified policy and we hope that when we come up with ours, it would be better. We have done a regional study and we hope this will assist us to come up with a better concept."
He said the issue of retreaded tyres is an issue that is worrisome as well but again, it is an issue that should be directed to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
"My ministry's role is to make roads and bridges and it ends there. You should be allowed to drive on the roads, you should be allowed by Industry and Commerce to buy cars and drive them and have good tyres - that is the role of another ministry. The point still is made and I take it and I will also pass it to the Minister to say can he do something about retreaded tyres being used, particularly on public vehicles, it would be better if it is your own car," he said. "Maybe if something happens to you, it is your own problem but particularly on public vehicles, it is better if we do not use retreaded tyres."
Tshuma said his point was on the other aspects that I have not heard being touched, the aspect of tyres.
"Most of these bus owners are trying to be economic and are buying retreads. Retreads are not good for public transport. So, I think that the Ministry must come up with a policy to ban retreads, especially for public vehicles. They must use original tyres because as long as it is retreads, we are not going to solve this. As we hear, it was a tyre burst," Tshuna said. "The car might be in good condition but that tyre burst can cause accidents. If you go on the highway, look at how many pieces of tyres you see. It is because even the huge trucks use retreads. Please, let us ban retreads. They are going to keep on killing our people."
Minister Gumbo said the Chairman of the Committee, Dexter Nduna talked about the country having been able to collect a lot of money from around 571 000 cars.
"Unfortunately, we only collected US$224 000 or we collect approximately $2.6 million," Gumbo said. "That is what we can only account for. It is difficult for us to collect money because the people have to remit the money through their own volition. We do not force them to pay. There is no mechanism of forcing them to pay, like what Hon. Maridadi did say. It is a question that I think maybe we need to look at as legislators as how we can force people to pay the money."
"This is why I have said we are coming up with a proposal whereby we are going to link up ZINARA, CVR and insurance companies together so that we do away with fake licences. Most of the cars the Hon. Chair talked about, are going around with fake licences. I was arrested at one time at a road block for using a fake licence. I asked one of my guys to go and pay at ZINARA. When he got to ZINARA, he was mobbed by guys who said this is ZINARA so we can give you a licence," he said. "He paid and we put that fake thing on the car. I thought all was fine but this is what is happening and this is what we are trying to curb through this proposal in order to make sure that we collect enough money that we can use to compensate our people."
Gumbo said it can only be done through the Road Fund and they are proposing that they come up with a proper way of alleviating this burden from our people and Government.
"You must know that after the accident, Government declared it a national disaster and it is Government again paying. It means it is you again paying. So, if we do it through a fund, it would be easier for all of us and we can make sure that we can assist our own people," he said.
"Yes, we are making the comparative study and that is why I talked about South Africa. They are actually having a problem because they started this thing but it is also giving them problems. From what they have experienced, we are trying to come up with a modified policy and we hope that when we come up with ours, it would be better. We have done a regional study and we hope this will assist us to come up with a better concept."
He said the issue of retreaded tyres is an issue that is worrisome as well but again, it is an issue that should be directed to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
"My ministry's role is to make roads and bridges and it ends there. You should be allowed to drive on the roads, you should be allowed by Industry and Commerce to buy cars and drive them and have good tyres - that is the role of another ministry. The point still is made and I take it and I will also pass it to the Minister to say can he do something about retreaded tyres being used, particularly on public vehicles, it would be better if it is your own car," he said. "Maybe if something happens to you, it is your own problem but particularly on public vehicles, it is better if we do not use retreaded tyres."
Source - Byo24News
